Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Ricky Pearsall

Friday, November 28, 8:26 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. bounced back with one of his best performances of the season in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, hauling in seven of his eight targets for 74 yards and a touchdown, his most yards in a game since Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Samuel has now scored in back-to-back weeks, but faces a tough matchup out of Washington's Week 12 bye against a stingy Denver Broncos defense. The former San Francisco 49er will have more competition for targets in Week 13 with No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) returning from a multi-game absence, as well as Treyon Burks (finger) after missing Week 11 against Miami. Samuel has a safe floor for receptions due to his usage on manufactured touches, recording at least four receptions in eight of 10 games played this season. He ranks as more of a WR3 in Week 13 against a Denver defense that has allowed the fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers this season.

Saturday, November 29, 4:11 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) had another disappointing finish in Week 12, logging two catches for eight yards on three targets. It was another disappointing finish following his one-catch, zero-yard performance in Week 11 after a six-game absence while managing a PCL injury. Now playing with a healthy Jauan Jennings and George Kittle in the lineup and the offense flowing through Christian McCaffrey, Pearsall seems to be the odd man out in the 49ers' passing attack. On Sunday, Pearsall faces a Browns defense that has offered the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game and a weather forecast in Cleveland featuring 25 MPH winds, rain, and snow. With the team trends, matchup, and elements working against Pearsall, he projects as a WR5 in Week 13.