Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Anthony Richardson

Tuesday, March 12, 11:07 AM

Free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is signing a one-year, $6 million deal worth up to $10 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 is set to join his fifth team after five years with the Tennessee Titans, two years with the Las Vegas Raiders, and one year a piece with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. In 90 games (74 starts), Mariota has passed for 15,820 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 55 interceptions. He's added over 2,000 yards and 17 scores on the ground. He's set to join a quarterback room that already has Sam Howell, and the Commanders are likely to take a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall pick. That said, Mariota will likely be competing for the backup job, though some teams choose to start a veteran early in the season as they ease a rookie into action. Mariota slightly enters the two-QB and Superflex league fantasy radar for 2024.

Monday, April 8, 6:03 PM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder), who played in parts of just four games in his rookie season in 2023 before having season-ending shoulder surgery for an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, is making roughly 40 throws per day in his recovery this offseason. He has thrown more than 200 passes in all just five months post-surgery. The 21-year-old former fourth overall pick is on a mission to get ready for his sophomore season and should be fully ready for Week 1 this fall. "I've never waited this long to get back to playing football," Richardson said. "I'm just on a mission this year. Once that mission's complete, then I'll be good." While Richardson has plenty to improve on as a passer, he has considerable QB1 upside in fantasy football because of his sure athletic ability and rushing prowess despite not having played a full season in the NFL.