Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Jaxson Dart

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.

Tuesday, February 17, 6:42 AM

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes that New York Giants new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will be a positive influence on young quarterback Jaxson Dart's development. Breer references Nagy's work with QB Alex Smith in Kansas City back in 2017, using many spread-offense elements to maximize Smith and to help develop Patrick Mahomes. "All the movement stuff the Chiefs were doing that year, in theory, should apply organically to Dart's physical skill set." Although KC's offense grew a bit stagnant in 2025 under Nagy, the Chiefs ranked 10th in offensive success rate and EPA per play during Nagy's three seasons as the offensive coordinator. Despite playing in only 14 games in his rookie year, Dart was the QB14 in fantasy with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions while running for 487 yards and an additional nine TDs. With high-end playmakers in the backfield and at receiver, the sky is the limit for Dart going forward as long as his aggressive running style doesn't lead to injuries.