Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Ricky Pearsall

Tuesday, October 14, 2:13 PM

Through six weeks, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens leads the NFL with six touchdown receptions, while his 525 yards trail only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua. Asked on Tuesday about a potential contract extension, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones touched upon Pickens' fit within the locker room before saying the team would need to think about "having some room available if [they] are gonna pay a second receiver at that level." The Cowboys acquired Pickens in an offseason trade, and as he plays out the final season of his rookie contract, he currently represents the gem of the 2026 free agency class at the position. It remains to be seen if he can keep up his torrid pace when CeeDee Lamb (ankle) returns from injury, but wherever he ends up next season, he'll likely see a deal in excess of $30 million per year. He should be viewed as a fringe WR1 in both redraft and dynasty formats.

Wednesday, October 15, 5:36 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) was not present at practice on Wednesday, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Pearsall has made progress in recovery from a knee sprain that he suffered in Week 4, but he's not quite ready to return to the practice field. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is making progress, but he might be forced to miss a third straight game this weekend when the Niners take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Pearsall has two more days to get back onto the practice field, but it seems like he's trending toward another absence. The good news for the 49ers is that quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) practiced on Wednesday, so they could both make their returns this weekend. Pearsall should be stashed in all fantasy leagues, but he should be left on your bench again this week.