Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or DeMario Douglas

Sunday, January 4, 5:09 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce caught four of his seven targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 18 loss against the Houston Texans. His touchdowns came from eight and 66 yards out. Pierce was having a great outing and operating as Riley Leonard's favorite target before a costly mistake late in the game. With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Pierce failed to haul in a pass near the back of the end zone. He pleaded his case for a pass interference penalty, and while doing so, he made contact with the official. As a result, Pierce was automatically disqualified from the game. Amid the blemish on an otherwise spectacular Week 18, the 25-year-old put the finishing touches on the best season of his career. In 2025, he caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns while ranking as a top-36 fantasy receiver.

Sunday, December 28, 11:57 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (hamstring), who was listed as questionable for Week 17, is officially active on Sunday as the team takes on the division-rival New York Jets. Douglas has been hard to trust for fantasy managers in 2025 in his third year in the NFL, as he's caught 28 passes on 41 targets for only 408 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games played. However, he should be set up for a much bigger role this weekend with Kayshon Boutte (concussion) out and Mack Hollins (abdomen) on Injured Reserve. Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams figure to be New England's top two wideouts on Sunday in a plus matchup, but don't sleep on Douglas as the starting slot receiver in deeper fantasy football formats as a sneaky flex play. The 25-year-old pass-catcher has an opportunity to go over 50 receiving yards for only the third time this season.