Who Should I Start? Spencer Rattler or J.J. McCarthy

Tuesday, August 26, 3:06 PM

The New Orleans Saints will open the 2025 season with Spencer Rattler as their starting quarterback, according to head coach Kellen Moore. The Saints are opting for experience at the position to begin the year after Rattler beat out rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough in training camp and the preseason. The 24-year-old Rattler was a fifth-round selection (150th overall) last year out of South Carolina. He ended up playing in seven games (six starts) in his rookie campaign due to injuries to Derek Carr, and he looked like a rookie, completing 57% of his 228 pass attempts for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. Rattler added 18 rush attempts for 146 yards on the ground and also fumbled five times. He is going to be on a short leash if he struggles, making him more of a QB3 option in superflex fantasy leagues. Avoiding the Saints' QB picture is the smartest strategy.

Friday, August 29, 10:41 AM

Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes that the Minnesota Vikings' offense "has been scaled down with quarterback J.J. McCarthy taking over." Howe also notes that there's "measured optimism" in league circles around McCarthy's future, but that a "seamless transition" should not be expected. The 22-year-old is taking over for the departed Sam Darnold under center in Minnesota after Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024. McCarthy has drawn favorable reviews for his play in training camp and the preseason, but there's always a level of unknown for a player who has not seen the field in an actual NFL game. McCarthy profiles as a high-end QB2 in redraft fantasy leagues.