Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Kenny Pickett

Tuesday, August 26, 3:53 PM

The Cleveland Browns officially placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday to begin the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Watson tore his Achilles in the middle of last season and had multiple surgeries in the offseason. He will have to miss at least the first four games this year, but the full expectation is that the 29-year-old will miss the entire year. Cleveland will begin the season with veteran Joe Flacco under center, with one of rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders backing him up after they traded Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. The Watson investment has been one of the worst front-office decisions in franchise history to this point, as he has played in just 19 games since the start of 2021. It would not be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another down for the Browns again.

Thursday, September 4, 9:39 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.