Who Should I Start? Justin Herbert or Michael Penix Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
23.8 23.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Justin Herbert News

Justin Herbert Well-Positioned for a Fantasy Resurgence

Sunday, July 19, 9:01 AM

Los Angeles Chargers seventh-year veteran Justin Herbert has become one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the league in recent years, but for those who have always believed in his talent, the situation he now finds himself in makes him an obvious target in 2026 drafts. 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton comes into the year at full health after missing eight games as a rookie, as does an offensive line that played poorly enough through its own injury struggles to earn Herbert a token MVP vote. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brings excitement into the building, and a heavy investment at both fullback and tight end should lead to more big-play opportunities through heavy play-action usage. Unable to crack the top nine since his QB2 finish of 2021, Herbert is well-positioned to rejoin the fantasy elite, and at RotoBaller's QB8, he can still be found in the middle rounds of single-quarterback drafts.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.3 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Michael Penix Jr. News

Michael Penix Jr. a Dynasty Hold Until Camp Brings Clarity

Wednesday, July 15, 12:12 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still difficult to price before training camp. He threw for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts last season, then a partially torn left ACL ended his year in Week 11. This was his third ACL surgery. Penix made it back for individual and seven-on-seven work in the spring, but Atlanta kept him out of full-team periods while Tua Tagovailoa ran the offense. The expectation was that Penix would be ready for 11-on-11 work in camp, pending medical clearance. Until that happens, there is not much of a competition to judge. The fantasy profile has its own problem. Penix completed 60.1% of his passes and added only 70 rushing yards, so he needs the arm to carry the value. Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts Sr. give him enough help if he wins the job. RotoBaller has Penix at QB29 in dynasty, which is low enough to hold through camp but not cheap enough to ignore the knee and Tua. Superflex buyers should wait for clarity rather than paying for his previous upside.


Justin Herbert vs. Michael Penix Jr.

Still trying to decide between Herbert and Penix Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Justin Herbert is projected to score 23.8 points this week while Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 8.3 points.