Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or Brock Purdy

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
23.6 22.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Patrick Mahomes News

Chiefs "Leaning Against" Playing Patrick Mahomes in Preseason Opener

Friday, August 7, 8:52 AM

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team is "leaning against" playing quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) in next week's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. Reid also said he doesn't know if Mahomes will play in the second or third preseason games, either. Mahomes prefers to see some preseason action, but it's a special scenario going into the 2026 season after he tore his ACL and LCL late last season. The good news for the Chiefs and fantasy managers is that the 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler is on track to be ready for the team's Week 1 season opener on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos in early September. Mahomes has made great progress from his knee injury and has been participating in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp without limitations. His improving health will improve his fantasy football stock going into his 10th year in the league, but still, managers should be hesitant not to overvalue Mahomes based on his past exploits, with his mobility potentially not being the same as it once was. Treat him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy in 2026.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
24.5 18.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brock Purdy News

Brock Purdy Developing Chemistry With New No. 1 Receiver

Saturday, August 1, 8:47 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy appears to have already lost wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the entire 2026 season, but the good news is he has shown some early chemistry in training camp with new wideout Mike Evans, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Purdy and Evans connected on the play of the day in practice on Friday. With the 6-foot-5 Evans matched up against nickelback Upton Stout near the goal line, Purdy threw high for Evans, who made a leaping six-yard touchdown catch. The 26-year-old Purdy played in just nine regular-season games last year due to a turf-toe injury, throwing for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 284 pass attempts. It was obviously a disappointing showing for fantasy managers, but even with Pearsall likely done for the year in 2026, Purdy has obvious bounce-back potential in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense while being able to throw it up to a future Hall of Famer in Evans. The Niners are reuniting with veteran Deebo Samuel Sr., too, and Purdy still has All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey to dump the ball off to when all else fails. A lack of rushing prowess limits Purdy's overall fantasy upside, but he's not a bad low-end QB1/high-end QB2 target for a bounce-back if he stays healthy in his fifth year in the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Brock Purdy

Still trying to decide between Mahomes and Purdy? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Patrick Mahomes is projected to score 23.6 points this week while Brock Purdy is projected to score 24.5 points.