Who Should I Start? DeMario Douglas or Ricky Pearsall

Sunday, December 28, 11:57 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (hamstring), who was listed as questionable for Week 17, is officially active on Sunday as the team takes on the division-rival New York Jets. Douglas has been hard to trust for fantasy managers in 2025 in his third year in the NFL, as he's caught 28 passes on 41 targets for only 408 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games played. However, he should be set up for a much bigger role this weekend with Kayshon Boutte (concussion) out and Mack Hollins (abdomen) on Injured Reserve. Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams figure to be New England's top two wideouts on Sunday in a plus matchup, but don't sleep on Douglas as the starting slot receiver in deeper fantasy football formats as a sneaky flex play. The 25-year-old pass-catcher has an opportunity to go over 50 receiving yards for only the third time this season.

Friday, January 9, 4:57 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is considered questionable to play on Sunday against the hosting Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild-Card playoff game, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The questionable tag leaves the door open for Pearsall to play this weekend, but he's definitely on the wrong side of questionable after missing a full week of practice for the second straight week. The 25-year-old aggravated a PCL sprain in his knee that caused him to miss a big chunk of the regular season as well. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't expect him to be active on Sunday. If Pearsall is officially out for a second straight game, Jauan Jennings should operate as the team's clear WR1, with both Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne filling bigger roles behind Jennings. Tight end George Kittle should also be heavily targeted.