Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Mac Jones

Wednesday, August 28, 8:22 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Not only is starting quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) recovering from plantar fasciitis in his foot, but backup Easton Stick regressed in training camp and the preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke will be an upgrade at the QB position behind Herbert entering the regular season next week. In Atlanta, the Falcons were expected all along to try and trade Heinicke after taking rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in April. Heinicke made his NFL debut back in 2017 with the Houston Texans and has appeared in 38 games (29 starts) since then with four different teams. His best year came in 2021 with Washington, when he threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks on 321 pass attempts over 16 games (15 starts).

Saturday, August 17, 10:58 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones played well in a 20-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards and two passing touchdowns, one in each half. Jones was 11-for -18 in the first half and was relieved by C.J. Beathard to start the second half. Jones was inserted back into the game after Beathard took some hard hits and continued his solid play. The former Patriot has the draft capital and starting experience over Beathard, which seems to give him the edge for the backup to Trevor Lawrence. If Jones officially wins the job, he still has very little value in redraft leagues, but in dynasty, he is at least worth rostering, especially in two-quarterback formats. Any value as a fantasy starter is behind him, but Jones isn't fantasy-irrelevant just yet.