Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or Bryce Young

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.

Monday, November 10, 12:21 PM

Bryce Young delivered another underwhelming performance in the Panthers' 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Carolina QB went 17-for-25 for 124 yards with no TD passes. For the second consecutive game, Young recorded fewer than five fantasy points as he logged only 2.6. He threw an interception and fumbled once. This Panthers' loss also ended a streak of four victories in a row with Young as the starting QB. He did not record any touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Through nine games, Young has scored 20-plus fantasy points only once. In Week 11, the Panthers will face the Atlanta Falcons, who ranked seventh in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to QBs leading up to Week 10. Fantasy players who roster Young in superflex leagues simply aren't getting enough production to even start Young as a QB2. Keep him reserved in Week 11 if possible.