Who Should I Start? Kyler Murray or Anthony Richardson

Monday, January 8, 12:50 AM

In the final game of the 2023 season, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray showcased flashes of his pre-injury brilliance, completing 22 of 30 pass attempts for 262 yards and a touchdown. Adding 33 rushing yards on five attempts, Murray closed the season on a high note, reminiscent of his dual-threat prowess. The 27-year-old's performance in the last two outings reflected his potential for a bounce-back season in 2024. Following his return from ACL surgery in Week 10, Murray struggled to regain his fantasy stud status. However, if he can maintain numbers close to his recent performances, averaging 241.3 passing yards, 29.7 rushing yards per game, and a 6:1 TD: INT ratio, fantasy managers can anticipate a resurgence from the dynamic two-sport athlete.

Tuesday, May 7, 11:29 PM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) is progressing well and itching to get back to normal football activities, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "Richardson feels he's full go at this point," Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter. "He's been throwing for a while now. He's gradually grown to where he can throw full time with minimal restrictions. The Colts could be deliberate. They could hold him out for OTAs, 11-man work, minicamp, but the feeling is he wants to get started." These comments suggest that Richardson is pushing to return in a full capacity but Indianapolis may choose to take a more cautious approach in the final stage of his recovery and rehabilitation. Regardless, he should be back to 100 percent in time for the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season. He can be a QB1 in fantasy football as long as he stays healthy. That's easier said than done given that Richardson's physical playing style made him more susceptible to big hits and injuries as a rookie. However, Richardson reportedly might tone down his physicality in 2024, which could lead to him finishing more games (even if it equates to slightly fewer rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as more sacks). He should be treated as a fringe top-12 quarterback heading into fantasy drafts.