Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or Shedeur Sanders

Friday, December 19, 5:07 PM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched as the team's starting quarterback on Wednesday this week and has "in all likelihood played his final down in Miami," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Rookie QB Quinn Ewers is in line to start the rest of the season for the Dolphins as they prepare to move off of Tagovailoa in the future. The 2020 fifth overall pick has struggled this season, leading the league with 15 interceptions and posting the worst QBR of his career (36.7). Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract during the 2024 off-season and carries a total of nearly $100 million of dead cap that the Dolphins would have take on over the next two seasons if they decide to move on. The 27-year-old quarterback can safely be dropped in all redraft leagues.

Saturday, December 20, 6:45 AM

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is coming off his worst game as a starter, and there is little respite in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. As an encore to his 33.5 fantasy points showing in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, Sanders posted just 3.5 fantasy points against the Chicago Bears in Week 15, completing 18 of his 35 pass attempts for 177 yards and throwing three interceptions. Sanders' 30.3 quarterback passer rating last week was his lowest as a starter this season and the worst rating for all starting quarterbacks in Week 15. The road does not get easier for the late-round rookie as the Bills' defense has held opposing quarterbacks to an average of 13.4 fantasy points per game since Week 8. However, Sanders should have more time in the pocket this week than in previous weeks. Since starting in Week 12, Sanders has faced a 46% pressure rate, the highest in the league, while the Bills' defense boasts a below-average pressure rate of 34.2%. Nonetheless, for Week 16, Sanders is a desperation deep-league Superflex option for fantasy managers, once again.