Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Deshaun Watson

Wednesday, December 17, 11:36 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to play at a high level, but he'll be without one of his favorite weapons for Thursday's Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for the primetime contest, which means that Stafford will have to find a new favorite target around the goal line. Adams has been an elite touchdown threat this season, accounting for 14 of Stafford's 37 touchdowns so far. Puka Nacua will continue to be Stafford's most-involved receiver on Thursday, and Colby Parkinson should also continue to earn more opportunities at the tight end position. Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield could earn more snaps at wide receiver alongside Nacua. While losing Adams certainly hurts Stafford's fantasy value, the veteran quarterback should still be able to post low-end QB1 fantasy value with Nacua, Parkinson, and other key pass-catchers at his disposal. Managers should perhaps be more concerned about the matchup, as the Seahawks have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. They also have the fourth-most interceptions. Stafford ranks as the overall QB12 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.

Saturday, December 6, 9:14 PM

The Cleveland Browns are planning to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on their roster next season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Watson is considered unlikely to play this season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that required multiple surgeries, the team has expressed interest in keeping him on the roster, noting that the 30-year-old's veteran presence is valuable for their pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Another big reason Watson is expected to return is due to the fact that the Browns would have to take on a dead salary of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he was designated as a post-June 1 cap casualty. The record for dead-cap money was set by the Denver Broncos with quarterback Russell Wilson at $85 million, which they split into two years, but releasing Watson would cost the Browns significantly more. With Watson set to return in 2026, he's expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for Cleveland's starting gig.