Who Should I Start? DeMario Douglas or Ricky Pearsall

Wednesday, November 19, 2:53 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas continues to face significant competition within his own position group. Ahead of Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Douglas faces an uphill battle to handle the workload necessary to produce in fantasy football. Douglas has already tied his career-high of three touchdowns this year, but he is behind his 2024 pace in targets, catches, and receiving yards. In fact, he's averaging only 2.1 catches and 30.2 yards per game, and he has surpassed 45 yards in just two different weeks. The 24-year-old has slipped down the pecking order this season after New England brought in Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Meanwhile, Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) has taken on a larger role as a playmaker. While Douglas can still hold his own as a receiver, he has failed to separate himself from the rest of his teammates. As a result, he has a lower fantasy ceiling and remains off the radar in leagues with 14 or fewer teams.

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.