Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Marcus Mariota

Thursday, July 25, 9:33 AM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been in the offseason retirement rumors over the last two seasons, but he is back for a 16th NFL campaign (fourth with the Rams), and team reporter Stu Jackson said he is looking sharp at the start of training camp. "Matthew Stafford picked up where he left off with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but best connections were on TD passes to TEs Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen," Jackson wrote on X. The 36-year-old gun-slinger is unlikely to be a trustworthy fantasy option in single-QB leagues, but he's a fine backup or QB2 in Superflex or two-QB formats. Stafford has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in nine of the 10 seasons that he has played in at least 16 contests. With a healthy Kupp and more experienced Nacua, don't be surprised if Los Angeles' continues to have a high-powered passing attack.

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.