Who Should I Start? Tyler Shough or Michael Penix Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
22.0 18.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tyler Shough News

Tyler Shough Showing More Command and Comfort in Saints' Offense

Monday, August 10, 8:16 PM

The NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe noted on Monday that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Tyler Shough was "so accurate" in training camp practice, and the "ball barely hit the ground." Wolfe added that Shough showed much more command and comfort with the offense while also connecting well with No. 1 receiver Chris Olave. Shough appeared in 11 games (nine starts) for the Saints as a rookie in 2025 and impressed, completing 67.6% of his 327 pass attempts for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions while also running for 186 yards and three touchdowns. In another season in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, the 26-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Louisville could be primed to take a step forward in his first full year as an NFL starter in 2026. The Saints added running back Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson, too, to give Shough even more weapons. Shough is nowhere near QB1 territory in fantasy football, but he's certainly becoming an interesting QB2 target in superflex formats as he heads into his sophomore campaign in the Big Easy.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.3 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Michael Penix Jr. News

ACL Issues Behind Michael Penix Jr.?

Wednesday, August 12, 12:14 PM

Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was told by a doctor that he has "an amazing ACL" and that he shouldn't "have any more knee problems for the rest of your career." It seems like a pretty optimistic statement for a player who has already torn his right ACL twice (in college) and who suffered a partial tear of his left ACL last year while playing for the Falcons. Penix has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills in training camp this summer, but after this glowing report on his left knee, that could change sooner rather than later. Still, the former first-rounder from the University of Washington has lost valuable time in the QB competition with Tua Tagovailoa. Head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to name a starter for the start of the 2026 regular season, but it would be a big surprise if Tua wasn't the guy. Penix could get another opportunity under center as the starter in Atlanta in 2026, but it might take an injury or poor performance from Tagovailoa for it to happen.


Tyler Shough vs. Michael Penix Jr.

Still trying to decide between Shough and Penix Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tyler Shough is projected to score 22.0 points this week while Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 8.3 points.