Who Should I Start? Jameis Winston or Desmond Ridder

Tuesday, March 12, 11:13 AM

Free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston is joining the Cleveland Browns on a one-year, $8.7 million deal, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz. Winston has spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, racking up 20 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 21 games (10 starts). The former No. 1 overall pick passed for at least 20 touchdowns in three of his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but 88 interceptions over that span ultimately lost him his starting gig. He will likely begin the 2024 season as Deshaun Watson's (shoulder) backup, but there is a path to playing time considering Watson's struggles and injury issues since becoming a Brown in 2022. He should be rostered in deep Superflex and two-QB leagues next year.

Thursday, March 14, 1:30 PM

The Arizona Cardinals are acquiring former starting quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, according to a source. Ridder squandered his chance as the full-time starter for the Falcons in 2023 by throwing for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts), eventually being benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati has also lost nine fumbles in 19 games (17 starts) in his two NFL seasons. Atlanta's signing of Kirk Cousins made Ridder expendable, and he'll now make for a solid backup option in Arizona for starter Kyler Murray. The 24-year-old obviously won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2024 now that he's firmly entrenched in a backup role.