Who Should I Start? Calvin Ridley or Ricky Pearsall

Sunday, December 29, 8:49 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley managed his second solid performance in a row in Week 17, hauling in five receptions for 84 yards and running for seven more on one attempt in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was Ridley's first time leading his team in receiving yards since Week 14-;another matchup against Jacksonville. It was also his most in a game in his last five outings. Ridley still tied for second-most targets on Tennessee (six) with fellow WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, trailing behind tight end Chig Okonkwo yet again. However, after catching a touchdown last weekend, this is the best two-game stretch out of Ridley since the middle of the season. Next week, he's home against a Texans defense, allowing the fifth-most points to opposing fantasy wideouts this year.

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.