Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or Quinn Ewers

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.

Sunday, August 17, 6:50 AM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers had a big second half in the team's second preseason game on Saturday, throwing for 116 yards and two touchdowns by completing 11 of his 17 pass attempts. He entered the game trailing 14-7 but led two touchdown drives and led the team to a 24-17 victory over the Dolphins. Both of Ewers' touchdown passes went to fellow rookie Theo Wease Jr. as both players look to establish their positions on the roster. The rookie quarterback from Texas was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after throwing for 9,128 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions in 36 games over three seasons with the Longhorns. Ewers is currently competing with Zach Wilson for the team's backup role behind Tua Tagovailoa, and both potential backups had strong showings against Detroit. Wilson played ahead of Ewers on Saturday, but Ewers stepped up with a much better showing than he had in his preseason debut against the Bears.