Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Nate Sudfeld

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, August 9, 3:30 AM

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld completed just 13 of 24 passes for 96 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's preseason opener against the New York Giants. He also rushed three times for an additional 14 yards on the ground. The 30-year-old played most of the game, only ceding reps to Hendon Hooker (head) in the third quarter. (Hooker departed after two drives and entered concussion protocol, bringing Sudfeld back into the game.) Neither player led a touchdown drive, and while Hooker was quite impressive on the ground, his new injury could give Sudfeld the early advantage in the fight to be Jared Goff's backup. If Hooker is expected to miss time, Detroit could add another quarterback to compete with Sudfeld ahead of the 2024 campaign.