Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Deshaun Watson
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Marcus Mariota News
Friday, May 8, 12:28 PM
After appearing in just six games (zero starts) between 2023 and 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was pressed into starting duty in 2025 thanks to myriad injury issues for Washington QB1 Jayden Daniels. The veteran Mariota performed adequately, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 11 games (eight starts). Mariota's fantasy appeal comes from his ability to use his legs, as he rushed for 297 yards and a score on 50 attempts. With Daniels healthy heading into 2026, Mariota should slide back into a backup role. Given Daniels' injury track record dating back to his days in college, dynasty managers may want to consider stashing Mariota in a bench spot. Still, rostering Mariota is a deep-league play at best, as he offers little upside beyond capable QB2 production as he enters his age-33 season.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Deshaun Watson News
Wednesday, August 12, 2:39 PM
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken informed the QBs on Wednesday afternoon that quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Monken plans to start Shedeur Sanders in the team's second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. While Watson starting the team's first preseason game could mean he's in the lead over Sanders in Cleveland's QB competition this summer, it also might mean absolutely nothing. Watson and Sanders have been splitting first-team work during training camp, with no clear leader having emerged yet. How the two signal-callers perform in preseason action could be the deciding factor for who will start in Week 1 of the regular season in September. Regardless of who wins the competition for the Browns' starting QB job, they should be avoided in all single-QB formats and considered a low-end QB2 with limited upside and a short leash in two-QB superflex formats.
Marcus Mariota vs. Deshaun Watson
Still trying to decide between Mariota and Watson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Marcus Mariota is projected to score 1.0 points this week while Deshaun Watson is projected to score 7.3 points.
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