Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Jayden Daniels

Wednesday, March 12, 2:18 PM

Veteran free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is signing a one-year deal to return to the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans spent last season with Washington and primarily backed up Jayden Daniels. Mariota threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns in three games a season ago. While Mariota clearly has no path to the starting job, he will be on the fantasy football radar in deep Superflex or two-QB leagues as a deep bench stash. Should Daniels have to miss any time next season, Mariota would have at least low-end QB2 upside playing with wideouts Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. along with tight end Zach Ertz in Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Tuesday, June 3, 12:30 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels immediately established himself as one of the NFL's top QBs in his first season in the league in 2024, but the Commanders expect him to be even better in his sophomore season. "Just watching him move around, he's not thinking as much, he's playing fast and letting his natural gifts kind of take over, and that's what we want to see. I expect him to take a big jump," offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. The second overall pick was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for another 891 yards and six touchdowns while leading the team to a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship game. Washington bolstered their offensive line in front of Daniels this offseason and added receiver Deebo Samuel Jr. Daniels will be a top-five fantasy QB in upcoming drafts.