Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Terry McLaurin

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, 7:14 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be viewed as a top-12 option in Week 16 when he faces the Philadelphia Eagles in a pivotal NFC East clash. McLaurin is carrying a three-game touchdown streak into this matchup. In his past two games, he has found the end zone twice in each of them. Since Week 3, the Ohio State product has averaged a stellar 18.3 PPR points per game with 77.5 yards per game. McLaurin is on track to post his fifth-straight 1,000-yard campaign. However, he has a difficult task ahead of him this weekend, facing the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season. In their previous Week 11 matchup, the Eagles held McLaurin to just one reception. Despite his struggles last time, fantasy managers should feel confident starting him in all formats as a WR1, given his strong production all season. In addition, with Noah Brown (kidney) on the IR and Zach Ertz (concussion) questionable, McLaurin could even see a higher target share in this matchup.