Who Should I Start? Diontae Johnson or Brandon Aiyuk

Tuesday, June 24, 2:10 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson believes veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett will be the team's starting quarterback following the competition against Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning his first Super Bowl ring as Jalen Hurts' backup. The 2022 first-round pick out of Pitt struggled to make a positive impact with the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 career games. He looked competent in limited action with the Eagles, throwing for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. However, that was behind the league's best offensive line and with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley to throw the ball to. If Pickett wins the starting job in Cleveland, he likely won't offer much fantasy upside and can be ignored in single-QB formats to start the new campaign. If he struggles early, the team could opt to move to Joe Flacco or one of the first-year signal callers.

Thursday, July 10, 9:05 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is expected to start the 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would sideline him for the first four games as he recovers from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee that he suffered in October of last year, per 49ers Webzone's David Bonilla. The Niners have already said that Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of training camp on July 22, and he's unlikely to be ready to go for Week 1 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7. However, the 27-year-old wideout has looked great during his rehab this offseason, which suggests there's still a chance he could be ready for the season opener. San Fran will likely play it safe with Aiyuk, who disappointed with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in 2024 before his injury. Even with Deebo Samuel Sr. gone, Aiyuk will face plenty of competition for targets when he returns, and will he even be the same receiver? His fantasy stock has taken a huge hit going into 2025.