Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Jameson Williams

Tuesday, January 14, 4:51 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold resurrected his career by leading the Vikings to 14 wins in 2024 while posting career-highs in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35), but he came crashing down hard in losses to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round in which he had a combined 23 off-target throws and took 11 sacks. Darnold's future is now as unsettled as ever as he heads toward free agency in March, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Darnold is still the top free-agent QB. The teams that Fowler has spoken with recently forecasted Darnold in the Geno Smith/Baker Mayfield weight class of contracts. Mayfield got a three-year, $100 million deal last offseason with Tampa, while Smith signed a three-year, $75 million deal before the 2023 season. Darnold tanked to end the year, but he did enough to find work as a starter somewhere else if Minnesota doesn't want him back.

Sunday, January 19, 12:19 AM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught just one of his four targets for 19 receiving yards during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. However, he salvaged his fantasy performance with a 61-yard rushing touchdown on a trick play. Unfortunately, not all of Williams' trickery resulted in successful plays. He also attempted a pass in the contest and was ultimately intercepted. All in all, the speedy receiver's fantasy value was salvaged by the trick-play touchdown, which is a reflection of the explosiveness he showed during the season. He has a high ceiling and low floor in fantasy football, making him an appealing WR3/FLEX option with weekly WR1 upside. He actually came close to notching a second big touchdown on Saturday, but he wasn't quite able to haul in an overthrown pass from Jared Goff. Williams should remain the Lions' No. 2 receiver alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025.