Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Lamar Jackson

Monday, May 5, 2:25 PM

The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford finally finalized terms on his new deal for the 2025 season, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stafford will earn $44 million this year, with $4 million already paid and the other $40 million fully guaranteed. The Rams were exploring the possibility of trading Stafford this offseason, but instead the two sides worked something out to keep him in L.A. for at least one more season. The 37-year-old two-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 16 regular-season starts but had the Rams peaking in the postseason, and they almost pulled off the upset over the eventual Super Bowl-champion Eagles in the playoffs. Although Stafford makes the Rams a Super Bowl contender and he was much better down the stretch, he wasn't even a top-15 fantasy QB in 2024. Consider him as no more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

Thursday, July 17, 7:17 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson finished the 2024 season with career-highs in passing yards (4,172), completions (316) and touchdown passes (41) while throwing only four interceptions on 474 attempts. He added 915 yards on the ground and passed Michael Vick for all-time rushing yards by a QB. Jackson is scary good as a passer and a runner, which is why he'll be one of the first QBs taken in fantasy drafts in the early rounds. BaltimoreRavens.com's Clifton Brown writes that Jackson is set up for even more success in 2025 going into his third season with Todd Monken running the offense. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history with 40 passing TDs and 20 rushing TDs in the same year in 2024. They were also the first team to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 3,000. There's the potential for Jackson to take his game to yet another level.