Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Dillon Gabriel


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

Is Marcus Mariota Worth Stashing as an Injury Replacement in Dynasty Leagues?

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
1.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dillon Gabriel News

Dillon Gabriel Competing for Depth Role in Cleveland

Friday, June 26, 9:51 AM

Cleveland Browns second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "had a very nice spring," but he will enter training camp at the end of July competing for a depth role behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. After being surprisingly selected before Sanders in the third round (94th overall) last year out of the University of Oregon, Gabriel went on to appear in 10 games (six starts) while throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions on 185 pass attempts. The 25-year-old southpaw will essentially be competing for the No. 3 QB role this summer with rookie sixth-rounder Taylen Green. When healthy and in a starting role in 2025 in his rookie season, Gabriel looked mostly like an underwhelming game manager, but to be fair, he didn't have a ton of help around him on offense. Gabriel will enter his sophomore campaign completely off the redraft fantasy radar.


Marcus Mariota vs. Dillon Gabriel

Still trying to decide between Mariota and Gabriel? 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 Dillon Gabriel is projected to score 1.2 points.