Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Kenny Pickett

Monday, November 10, 12:11 PM

Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota matched his season high with 213 passing yards on 16-for-22 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 44-22 blowout loss to the visiting Detroit Lions in Week 10. Mariota also carried the ball five times for 22 rushing yards and was sacked twice for a loss of 18 yards. The 32-year-old's numbers don't really jump off the page, but all in all, it wasn't a bad performance in his fourth start of the year. It's unclear exactly how long Jayden Daniels (elbow) will be out following a gruesome dislocated left elbow in Week 9, but Mariota should see at least a few more starts, including a plus matchup in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. He has completed 65.5% of his 110 pass attempts for 852 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions in his six games played (four starts) in 2025. Mariota should continue to be a low-upside QB2 streamer in superflex leagues for however long Daniels remains sidelined.

Thursday, September 4, 9:39 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.