Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Ricky Pearsall

Saturday, February 8, 12:34 PM

NFL executives believe Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will have a solid trade market this offseason because he's quarterback-friendly, makes contested catches and is an extremely hard worker. There are questions about the 31-year-old's lower-body injuries, but he did manage 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns while missing five games in 2024. The Rams might have to eat some of the $20 million Kupp is due in 2025 to facilitate a trade, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentions the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs as a few teams that could be interested. An AFC executive said the Pats would be "foolish" not to look at Kupp, while the Steelers were already interested in Kupp at last year's trade deadline. All but $5 million of his $20 million salary in 2025 is guaranteed in the form of a roster bonus.

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.