Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Daniel Jones

Monday, February 16, 6:12 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had an ugly first season with the team, and it likely cost him his starting job. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million deal with the Raiders last offseason, reuniting with head coach Pete Caroll. The reunion didn't result in a successful season. Vegas went 3-14, Carroll was let go, and Smith posted a horrific 19:17 TD:INT ratio with a career-high 55 sacks. One of the few positive storylines of the Raiders' season was that they ended up with the No. 1 draft pick, giving them the right to select any eligible prospect they'd like. Presumably, that player will be Indiana quarterback and national champion Fernando Mendoza. In all likelihood, Mendoza will win the starting job right away. That could move Smith to a backup role, but more likely, the veteran quarterback will be released with one year left on his contract. Releasing him creates $8 million in cap space with $18.5 million in dead money, offering the Raiders a fresh start with Mendoza and first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. Smith should be avoided in all dynasty and redraft leagues.

Monday, February 9, 10:17 AM

The Indianapolis Colts plan to begin contract-extension talks with impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) soon on a multi-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy last offseason and was having a bounce-back season in 2025 until he tore his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts fell apart after Jones' injury and missed the playoffs. There is mutual interest on both sides in getting a deal done this offseason, so the expectation is that Jones will be back with the Colts. If they cannot agree on a multi-year extension, the franchise tag would be in play. The 28-year-old signal-caller completed a career-high 68% of his pass attempts in his 13 starts for Indy while throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Jones' 2026 fantasy value will hinge on his readiness for the start of the season this fall.