Who Should I Start? Calvin Austin III or Ricky Pearsall


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.0 0.0 0.0 3.9 44.9 0.3

Calvin Austin III News

Giants Sign Calvin Austin III

Thursday, March 12, 2:51 PM

The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Calvin Austin III to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Austin hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former fourth-round pick entered the 2025 season with high expectations, given his role as the team's No. 2 wide receiver in a potentially pass-heavy offense. That never really came to fruition, though, as Austin finished the year with just 31 catches, 372 yards, and three touchdowns across 14 games. The Giants will rely on him and Darius Slayton to fill a depth role behind superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) next season. Austin is more of a low-floor, high-ceiling receiver, so while he should be rostered in most dynasty and many redraft leagues, he won't be a weekly fantasy starter in 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
16.2 0.0 0.0 6.7 69.2 0.4

Ricky Pearsall News

Ricky Pearsall Could Be Stuck in the WR2 Role in San Francisco

Thursday, March 12, 7:01 AM

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games due to injury over the first two years of his NFL career. When healthy, Pearsall's production has been more solid than spectacular. Across nine games played in 2025, the 25-year-old hauled in 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets. The 49ers made one of the biggest splashes of the early portion of free agency by signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal. While the 32-year-old Evans may no longer be the player he once was at his peak, he still projects as San Francisco's top outside wideout and could push Pearsall to the WR2 role. On the bright side for Pearsall's production outlook, the 49ers could be losing wide receiver Jauan Jennings to free agency and will likely be without star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) for a chunk of 2026 as Kittle recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Still, the signing of Evans could signal that San Francisco does not view Pearsall as a number-one wide receiver option going forward and may be bad news for his long-term dynasty outlook.


Calvin Austin III vs. Ricky Pearsall

Still trying to decide between Austin III and Pearsall? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Calvin Austin III is projected to score 10.0 points this week while Ricky Pearsall is projected to score 16.2 points.