Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or C.J. Stroud


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
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Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kenny Pickett News

Kenny Pickett Agrees to One-Year Deal With Panthers

Monday, March 9, 2:28 PM

Free-agent quarterback Kenny Pickett agreed to a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers on Monday that will be worth up to $7.5 million, including $4 million in guarantees, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Pickett now in the fold as Bryce Young's backup, the Panthers are expected to trade veteran Andy Dalton. The 27-year-old Pickett will be on his fourth different team in the last four seasons. He was the 20th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 out of Pittsburgh, but he only lasted two years in the Steel City before being dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickett spent last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing in six games (two starts) while going 28-for-45 passing for 188 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. He has mostly operated as a game manager under center with limited upside in his four NFL seasons, completing only 62.4% of his passes.


Week 1 Projections

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

C.J. Stroud News

Texans Sticking With C.J. Stroud as Their Starting QB

Tuesday, February 24, 7:36 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that any talk about trading quarterback C.J. Stroud is "moronic," according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Caserio said that Stroud will be the team's starting QB in 2026. Stroud was a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign in 2023, but he has regressed each of the last two seasons. The 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season games in 2025 to finish as the QB21 in overall fantasy points. He was much worse in two playoff games, going 41-for-79 passing for 462 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also lost two fumbles. The one positive takeaway from 2025 is that Stroud had a career-high completion percentage. He's still young enough to bounce back, but fantasy managers shouldn't feel comfortable rolling with him as their QB1 in 2026.


Kenny Pickett vs. C.J. Stroud

Still trying to decide between Pickett and Stroud? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Kenny Pickett is projected to score 0.0 points this week while C.J. Stroud is projected to score 0.0 points.