Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Ricky Pearsall

Monday, January 6, 9:26 AM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks led the team with nine targets in Sunday's 23-19 loss to Washington. Despite the heavy volume, Cooks struggled to produce. He caught just three passes for 15 yards and added a rush for a five-yard loss. The veteran was not on the same page as quarterback Trey Lance, who missed him in the end zone multiple times. The 31-year-old has a voidable contract going into the offseason, so there is a chance that he has played his final game with Dallas.

Sunday, January 5, 10:47 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall followed last week's breakout game with another strong showing in Sunday's 47-24 Week 18 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. The Arizona native caught six of eight targets for 69 yards, including a six-yard touchdown grab on a contested slant pattern from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Pearsall, who started his 49ers career on a terrifying note -- being shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt -- had an up-and-down year once he debuted in Week 7. Pearsall produced four fantasy-useful performances in 2024 but seven in which he was held below six half-PPR points. With momentum and the validation of his first-round pedigree this season, Pearsall could be an intriguing late-round fantasy pick in 2025 depending on the health of Brandon Aiyuk's knee, and if Pearsall can move past Jauan Jennings and/or Deebo Samuel Sr. in the 49ers' hierarchy.