Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Justin Herbert

Thursday, June 13, 12:52 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has been splitting first-team reps with first-round rookie Jayden Daniels this offseason, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans signed a one-year deal with Washington at the start of free agency, and he could be the short-term starter if the team wants Daniels to sit for the first few weeks of the 2024 campaign. Although Mariota has struggled to keep a starting job, he has underrated fantasy football upside thanks to his rushing skill set. In 13 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Mariota averaged a respectable 15.8 fantasy points per game behind 2,219 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 438 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. He's a must-stash option in Superflex leagues, and fantasy managers might get one or two QB1 weeks out of him if he's the starter to begin the Dan Quinn era in Washington.

Friday, July 5, 4:10 PM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has had three offensive coordinators in just four NFL seasons, so he has plenty of experience in learning a new system. He's set to play under former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2024, and center Bradley Bozeman, who played from Roman in Baltimore, said Herbert is having no trouble picking up the offense. "He acts like he's been in the system for 10 years," Bozeman recently said. "He dives so deep into the system and knows it so well before anyone else could even grasp it. It's been impressive to see him put people in the right positions and just elevate people around him." Herbert is set to play in a run-heavy offense, but his efficiency could see an uptick behind an improved offensive line. He will look to elevate a mid-level supporting cast of Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer, D.J. Chark, and Quentin Johnston heading into his fifth NFL campaign.