Who Should I Start? Tyrod Taylor or Dillon Gabriel

Saturday, September 20, 6:59 AM

New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor will take the field this Sunday in an exploitable matchup with the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 36-year-old hasn't drawn a start since Week 17 of the 2023 season during his time with the Giants, but he'll get the nod in Week 3 with Jets' starter Justin Fields (concussion) battling a concussion. Taylor isn't a world-beater, but he's at least an average thrower of the football. Fortuitously, he'll square off against a Buccaneers defense that's allowed 235.5 passing yards per game - the ninth-most in the league. The Jets figure to continue relying on their ground attack, but Tampa Bay has been excellent in that regard (76.5 yards allowed per game [fifth-fewest]). It wouldn't be surprising to see the team air it out slightly more than they have through the first two weeks, particularly with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs pushing the pace. He's RotoBaller's QB21 ahead of Week 3, and can be left on waivers for the time being sans two-quarterback formats.

Saturday, August 30, 7:40 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "gained a lot of trust from the coaching staff just in terms of how he worked, and we feel good about it," assistant general manager Glenn Cook said. After setting a college football record with 63 starts over six seasons divided among Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon, the third-round pick impressed the Browns' coaches enough to beat out fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and now-Las Vegas Raider Kenny Pickett for the backup QB job. The new role doesn't faze Gabriel, who told Zac Jackson of The Athletic: "It's not daunting. I have ultimate confidence in myself and who I am." Gabriel looked decent in two preseason games, going 25-for-37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting at some point in 2025. The only real roadblock is 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, a stopgap who has played in nine or fewer games in seven straight seasons.