Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Kyler Murray


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.3 5.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Deshaun Watson News

Browns Naming Deshaun Watson as Starting Quarterback

Monday, August 24, 6:14 AM

The Cleveland Browns have named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson as their starter for the 2026 season, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Watson battled second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders throughout training camp and two-up-and-down preseason games, and with neither able to take a clear grasp on the role, head coach Todd Monken's decision did not come until late August. Watson completed only five of 12 pass attempts in the team's second preseason game on Saturday, adding an interception to his lost fumble from preseason game one, but he showed enough in practice to earn the starting job in what will be his tenth professional season. A three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, Watson was acquired by the Browns in 2022, where he has gone 9-10 as a starter and most recently missed the entire 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time. Watson is RotoBaller's QB32, and he will be backed up by Sanders.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
21.7 25.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kyler Murray News

Justin Jefferson Primed for Bounce-Back Season With Kyler Murray

Sunday, August 23, 6:47 PM

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is set to bounce back from his disastrous 2025 season. With quarterback J.J. McCarthy under center, Jefferson struggled, hauling in 44 of 80 targets for 537 yards and two touchdowns, all career lows. The Vikings named quarterback Kyler Murray the starter. While his passing production may not match that of former Vikings quarterbacks Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold, it's expected to be far better than McCarthy's. Even when veteran Carson Wentz started, Jefferson averaged 6.8 receptions for 95.4 yards in those five games. Jefferson is currently ranked WR6 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, and assuming Murray stays healthy, he should be a surefire WR1 option in 2026.


Deshaun Watson vs. Kyler Murray

Still trying to decide between Watson and Murray? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Deshaun Watson is projected to score 7.3 points this week while Kyler Murray is projected to score 21.7 points.