Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Joe Burrow

Saturday, December 14, 12:27 PM

Despite being 3-10 heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cleveland Browns expect quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), reigning NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry to return in 2025, according to sources. Watson's role, however, is up in the air with the Browns moving forward after he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear midseason. Cleveland traded three first-round picks to the Texans to acquire Watson in 2022 and then signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Since joining the team, he has played in just 19 games and has posted a weak 80.7 passer rating when on the field. A post-June 1 release of Watson would create around $119 million in dead money, which would be the most in NFL history. The Browns are stuck with Watson for now, and he'll be off the fantasy radar coming off his serious injury in 2025.

Friday, December 20, 12:35 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) was officially limited for the third time this week on Friday but he is good to go for Sunday's divisional contest against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. Burrow is also battling through soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist, but all systems are go for the 28-year-old signal-caller. Even though the former first overall pick threw for under 200 yards against the Browns in their first meeting on Oct. 20, fantasy managers should keep Burrow locked into their starting lineups this weekend as a top-five QB. Burrow has been the QB3 overall in total fantasy points and currently leads the NFL in passing yards (3,977) and touchdown passes (36) while throwing only eight interceptions. The Browns have played divisional opponents much tougher in 2024, but Burrow is a must-start, high-end QB1.