Who Should I Start? Trevor Lawrence or Michael Penix Jr.

Tuesday, September 2, 12:06 PM

Jackonville Jaguars second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. said that his chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence is even stronger this year. "I feel like we've definitely got a lot closer, whether it's football or off the field, like all the little things," Thomas said. "I feel like our chemistry is growing on the field, and I feel like it's going to continue to grow throughout the season." Despite Lawrence missing seven games in 2024 due to head and shoulder injuries, Thomas amassed an impressive 87 catches on 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games in his rookie season. Although many players have the dreaded sophomore slump, Thomas figures to be immune, playing more out of the slot in new head coach Liam Coen's offense. As long as the former LSU star doesn't miss time with injuries, he should finish as a top-10 fantasy wideout again in 2025.

Friday, September 5, 11:07 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make just the fourth start of his professional career on Sunday, coming into the Week 1 contest with a 58.1 percent completion percentage and a 3:3 TD:INT. While that may not inspire confidence, the former eighth-overall draft pick has had plenty of time to prepare for the home matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that ranked third-worst in terms of passing yards per game (245.3) and allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers in 2024. However, the Bucs' pass defense will be healthier than they were last season, will have added veteran linebacker Haason Reddick, and the Falcons will be without starting right tackle Kaleb McGary and backup Storm Norton, leaving the 25-year-old's blind side to third-stringer Elijah Wilkinson. Mix in a banged-up Darnell Mooney (shoulder), and the University of Washington product should be considered a low-end QB2 in Week 1.