Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or Ricky Pearsall

Saturday, December 13, 12:40 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is coming off of back-to-back weeks where his production didn't quite meet expectations. It's not due to a lack of looks-Smith is averaging nine targets per game since Week 12-the issue is more because of his yardage. Over the same three-game span, he's averaging just 6.4 yards per target. For comparison, his counterpart A.J. Brown has averaged 9.8 during that time. However, Smith does have a favorable matchup this Sunday against the Raiders. Las Vegas gives up the third-most fantasy points to wideouts this season, and the Eagles should have little trouble putting this team away in what feels like a must-win game. Smith isn't the most comfortable option for fantasy playoffs, but he's done enough to be slotted as a decent WR3/FLEX in Week 15.

Monday, December 15, 5:40 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) aggravated his PCL injury in the Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and also sprained his ankle, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's unsure if Pearsall will practice this week as the team prepares to face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night in Week 16. The 25-year-old former first-rounder will have an extra day to recover this week, but based on the fact that he missed six games earlier this year after spraining his PCL initially in Week 4, it seems highly unlikely that Pearsall will be cleared to play on Monday. It's really bad timing for Pearsall and his fantasy managers, as he caught six of seven targets for 96 yards in the win over the Titans on Sunday while battling through his knee injury and a low-ankle sprain. If Pearsall misses additional time, Kendrick Bourne could be on the flex radar again in deeper fantasy leagues behind Jauan Jennings.