Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or Aidan O'Connell

Thursday, September 4, 9:39 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.

Wednesday, October 29, 10:19 AM

The Las Vegas Raiders have opened the practice window for quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who fractured his wrist in late August and began the season on injured reserve. The third-year signal-caller started seven games for the Raiders last season, throwing for 1,612 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. With Geno Smith entrenched as the starter and Kenny Pickett currently serving as the backup, O'Connell could surface in trade discussions or settle into the emergency QB3 role on gamedays. While O'Connell offers no fantasy value at this time, he could carry some trade appeal given the team's current quarterback depth.