Fantasy Football Player Notes

The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a cheap one-year deal after he was released by the Dolphins, who still owe him $54 million in guaranteed money. After averaging 269.2 passing yards per game for the Dolphins over 41 starts from 2022 through 2024, Tua averaged 190.0 passing yards over 14 starts in Miami last season. He also threw a career-high 15 interceptions and fumbled eight times. Tua will battle Michael Penix Jr. for playing time in 2026 and should probably be considered the favorite to start in Week 1 since Penix tore his ACL in November. Tua can't match the arm strength of Penix, but Tua has enjoyed a level of NFL success than Penix has yet to reach, helping to make Mike McDaniel's offense work in Miami. For fantasy, Tua figures to go undrafted in 1QB leagues this season but is a reasonable QB3 option in superflex formats.

Michael Penix Jr.'s second NFL season came to a premature end when he tore his left ACL against the Panthers in Week 11. Penix tore his right ACL twice during his college career and has to be regarded as a major injury risk going forward. Although the Falcons were 3-6 in his nine 2025 starts, Penix offered a few encouraging signs last year, averaging a respectable 7.2 yards per pass attempt and posting an ultra-low 1.1% interception rate. But Penix threw only nine TD passes in his nine starts. The rocket-armed Penix will have to battle veteran Tua Tagovailoa for playing time in Atlanta this season. Penix isn't draftable in 1QB leagues but is a late-round option in superflex leagues.