Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Mac Jones

Friday, September 12, 2:06 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (hamstring) practiced in full on Thursday and did not appear on the injury report ahead of a Week 2 matchup with the Chargers. Smith opened the year strong, finishing as the QB11 in standard formats after throwing for 362 yards while leading all quarterbacks in yards per completion (15.1). Chip Kelly's creative offense appears to be unlocking the best in Smith, positioning him as a steady low-end QB1/high-end backup option moving forward. This week's matchup offers upside, as the Chargers surrendered the 11th-most passing yards in Week 1, giving Smith a prime opportunity to exploit an underwhelming secondary.

Thursday, September 11, 2:53 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will turn to quarterback Mac Jones in Week 2 as they face the New Orleans Saints, with Brock Purdy sidelined for the next two to five weeks. Jones, now in his fifth season, is tasked with keeping San Francisco on track while the team navigates key injuries. Expect the offense to continue leaning on Christian McCaffrey, while Ricky Pearsall and running back Brian Robinson Jr. provide additional support. Given the circumstances, the 49ers are likely to simplify the offense, prioritizing efficiency and ball control over explosive plays. While San Francisco's supporting cast provides Jones with enough weapons to stay competitive, fantasy managers should exercise caution before inserting him into lineups. For now, Jones profiles more as a wait-and-see option in deeper leagues.