Who Should I Start? Desmond Ridder or C.J. Stroud

Friday, February 28, 5:22 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders informed quarterback Desmond Ridder that they will not tender him an offer as a restricted free agent this offseason, a source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ridder will now hit the open market next month after playing in six games (one start) in his lone season for the Raiders in 2024. He went 52-for-85 for 458 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions as a backup in Vegas. The 25-year-old former third-round selection (74th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 out of the University of Cincinnati appeared in 19 games (17 starts) in his first two years in the NFL in Atlanta before the Falcons moved on. Ridder briefly latched on as a backup option with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Raiders this past season. He has plenty of starting experience since entering the league, but Ridder will just be hoping for a chance to earn a backup gig somewhere else in 2025.

Monday, April 21, 7:07 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he'll be "taking full ownership, running the show" in new offensive coordinator Nick Calley's system and appreciates how Calley is already putting trust in him. Stroud didn't look at all like a rookie in 2023 under previous offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but he came back down to Earth a bit in 2024 in his sophomore campaign and finished as the QB17 in fantasy while throwing for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. Protection was the biggest issue, as the former second overall pick took a whopping 52 sacks in 2024 after being sacked 38 times in 15 regular-season games as a rookie. Stroud could be more effective again with more control of the offense, particularly before the snap, leaving him as a fine midrange QB1 bounce-back target in fantasy.