Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Lamar Jackson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
17.8 16.2 0.1 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
25.6 40.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Lamar Jackson News

We Could See "One of Most Explosive Versions" of Lamar Jackson in 2026

Thursday, August 27, 5:49 AM

Through the first three games of 2025, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson averaged more than 30 fantasy points per game, looking like his usual dominant self before injuries derailed his season, and NFL Network's Trevor Sikkema believes a return to health could lead to big things in 2026. "I'm really excited for what Lamar Jackson could be this year," he said while appearing on NFL Report. "To me, we could see not only the regular version of Lamar Jackson, which is pretty dang spectacular, but we could see maybe one of the most explosive versions of Lamar Jackson in this Declan Doyle offense." The Ravens were one of the most aggressive passing offenses on first down last year, helping to set up the third-and-manageable situations in which they thrived, and Sikkema believes Doyle will put the ball in Jackson's hands even more on early downs. Jackson is RotoBaller's QB1 and has one of the highest ceilings in the history of the game, as evidenced by two different seasons of 400+ fantasy points, and if he can manage close to a full slate of games in 2026, he should again be a league-winner.


Deshaun Watson vs. Lamar Jackson

Still trying to decide between Watson and Jackson? 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 17.8 points this week while Lamar Jackson is projected to score 25.6 points.