Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Dillon Gabriel

Saturday, September 6, 10:03 AM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy for the 2025 season, and he'll have some low-end fantasy appeal when he takes the field in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. While Stafford lacks the rushing upside needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his strong and accurate arm puts him in the conversation as a starter in two-quarterback leagues. The Texans ranked near the middle of the league in most metrics against quarterbacks last year, although their 19 interceptions did rank second-most in the NFL. However, Stafford has a track record of playing clean, turnover-free football, so this matchup isn't a major concern. The presence of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams should elevate his game (and his fantasy production) in Week 1.

Saturday, August 30, 7:40 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "gained a lot of trust from the coaching staff just in terms of how he worked, and we feel good about it," assistant general manager Glenn Cook said. After setting a college football record with 63 starts over six seasons divided among Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon, the third-round pick impressed the Browns' coaches enough to beat out fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and now-Las Vegas Raider Kenny Pickett for the backup QB job. The new role doesn't faze Gabriel, who told Zac Jackson of The Athletic: "It's not daunting. I have ultimate confidence in myself and who I am." Gabriel looked decent in two preseason games, going 25-for-37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting at some point in 2025. The only real roadblock is 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, a stopgap who has played in nine or fewer games in seven straight seasons.