Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Bryce Young

Sunday, January 5, 5:07 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 21-for-38 with 312 yards, two passing scores and an interception during their overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix added five yards and score on his lone carry. After averaging just 212.5 passing yards during the first two games of his career, Penix enjoyed a strong finish to the 2024 campaign, despite falling just short to the Panthers. The Washington product leaned on his top wideout Drake London as he threw to him 18 times. London also brought in both his touchdown passes and finished the day with 187 receiving yards. The 24-year-old has tallied four total touchdowns over his first three NFL games but sits with a 1-2 record, with both of his losses coming in overtime. Fantasy managers should expect Penix to be in the driver's seat to open as the team's starting QB in 2025.

Friday, April 25, 12:20 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan said that quarterback Bryce Young told head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan that the team needed to draft him. Young vouched for McMillan, and the Panthers listed and selected the 22-year-old Arizona product with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher excels on contested catches down the field and should immediately be a starter in three-wide sets for the team in 2025 next to Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan will give Young a wide catch radius, but there are questions about how much separation he will be able to get on a consistent basis at the next level. If it's true that Young was adamant about the team drafting McMillan, the two could quickly form a strong connection that helps McMillan become fantasy relevant in Year 1.