Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Dillon Gabriel

Friday, September 26, 1:46 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith enters Week 4 with a strong opportunity to post QB1 numbers against the struggling Chicago Bears defense. Chicago has allowed 247.7 passing yards per game while ranking 27th in total defense and 26th against the pass, creating an inviting matchup for fantasy managers. Smith is coming off a sharp performance in Week 3 where he threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, showing clear chemistry with his receiving corps. With the Bears' secondary routinely giving up big plays, Smith carries both a safe floor and a sneaky-high ceiling this week. He should be started confidently as a low-end QB1 in all fantasy formats.

Saturday, August 30, 7:40 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "gained a lot of trust from the coaching staff just in terms of how he worked, and we feel good about it," assistant general manager Glenn Cook said. After setting a college football record with 63 starts over six seasons divided among Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon, the third-round pick impressed the Browns' coaches enough to beat out fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and now-Las Vegas Raider Kenny Pickett for the backup QB job. The new role doesn't faze Gabriel, who told Zac Jackson of The Athletic: "It's not daunting. I have ultimate confidence in myself and who I am." Gabriel looked decent in two preseason games, going 25-for-37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting at some point in 2025. The only real roadblock is 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, a stopgap who has played in nine or fewer games in seven straight seasons.