Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or Theo Johnson

Saturday, November 1, 5:05 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (knee) has been named the team's Week 9 starter, though regular starter Brock Purdy (toe) has not yet been ruled out and may be available off the bench. Jones has already started six games in Purdy's stead, passing for 1,597 yards and eight touchdowns with a 65.9% completion rate, and throwing five interceptions. In Week 9, the Niners face the Giants, who have given up three straight top-12 finishes to opposing quarterbacks. Jones might struggle to see the same success, as he will be short on help and protection. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is still out, as is starting center Jake Brendel (hamstring). Jones projects as a low-end QB2 and should be avoided given the matchup and the lingering possibility of Purdy being healthy enough to sub in if Jones can't get the offense going.

Saturday, November 1, 3:13 AM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson enters Week 9 as the TE16, with his fantasy viability heavily reliant on scoring after accumulating four receiving touchdowns on just 23 catches this season. Johnson maintains a significant role with a 78.7% snap share and 37 targets through eight games, but the upcoming matchup presents a challenge against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers defense is tough against tight ends, ranking as the 10th-ranked fantasy defense and limiting the position to an average of only 11.95 points per game. Although the 49ers' pass rush ranks 31st in the NFL with nine sacks, allowing quarterback Jaxson Dart time, San Francisco's solid Red Zone Defense ranks 7th, making Johnson's primary source of fantasy value--touchdowns--more difficult to come by. Therefore, Johnson remains a low-floor, touchdown-dependent TE2 for Week 9.