Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Lamar Jackson

Friday, May 30, 10:54 PM

While the Cleveland Browns haven't made any announcements on their quarterback competition, The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that 18-year veteran Joe Flacco should be well ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and he's also probably ahead of Kenny Pickett. Flacco throws the ball better than the others in a practice setting, and his overall experience makes him the clear favorite to win the job. It's possible that Pickett will outplay Flacco in the coming months, though. Flacco and Pickett alternated turns with the No. 1 offense in practice at OTAs on Wednesday, with Gabriel out-repping Sanders in the second OTA practice. Jackson thinks it's almost a certainty that the QB battle is between Flacco and Pickett. Although Flacco had a nice little run with Cleveland at the end of 2023, he'll be a low-end QB2 option in two-QB fantasy leagues if he wins the starting gig over Pickett this year.

Friday, June 6, 11:11 PM

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that a contract extension for star quarterback Lamar Jackson is on the docket for the Baltimore Ravens. "We're in the introductory stage of looking at what an extension looks like," general manager Eric DeCosta said. As things stand right now, Jackson is the 10th-highest paid QB in the NFL. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and two-time MVP not only deserves a new contract, but the Ravens want to get one done so that they can lower his high salary cap number. If Jackson becomes the highest-paid signal-caller in the league, which is probably likely, he'll make more than $60 million per year. He was incredible last year as the QB1 in fantasy with a career-high 4,172 passing yards, 41 TDs and only four picks in 17 regular-season starts while adding 915 rushing yards and four more TDs. As long as he stays healthy, he's pretty much a lock as a top-five QB.