Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Ricky Pearsall

Tuesday, March 11, 7:18 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to terms on a one-year $5 million deal worth up to $6 million guaranteed. Despite the increased production from fourth-year wideout Rashod Bateman a season ago, Baltimore sought to bolster their wide receiver corps -- bringing a veteran presence into the locker room. Hopkins spent most of 2024 with Kansas City after a mid-season trade with the Tennessee Titans and racked up a 41-catch 437-yard line in ten games with four touchdowns. The 32-year-old is not the presence he once was on the outside, but he gives superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson another set of reliable hands. While Hopkins may still have some juice, he'll be competing with fellow wideout Zay Flowers and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely for targets on a team that ranked second-to-last in pass attempts per game in 2024 (27.5).

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.