Who Should I Start? Jameson Williams or Ricky Pearsall

Friday, April 25, 12:03 PM

The Detroit Lions exercised wide receiver Jameson Williams' fifth-year option for the 2026 season on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Field Yates. This was a no-brainer move for the Lions after Williams broke out with his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024. The 24-year-old former first-rounder out of Ohio State is projected to make $15.49 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option. Williams played in only 18 games (10 starts) in his first two years in the NFL due to recovery from a torn ACL in his final year in college and a suspension for gambling last year. In 15 games (11 starts) during the regular season a year ago, he caught 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 11 carries for 61 yards and a TD. Williams has big-play ability every time he touches the ball, but his lack of volume in a loaded Detroit offense is worrisome and makes him a boom-or-bust fantasy commodity.

Sunday, January 5, 10:47 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall followed last week's breakout game with another strong showing in Sunday's 47-24 Week 18 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. The Arizona native caught six of eight targets for 69 yards, including a six-yard touchdown grab on a contested slant pattern from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Pearsall, who started his 49ers career on a terrifying note -- being shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt -- had an up-and-down year once he debuted in Week 7. Pearsall produced four fantasy-useful performances in 2024 but seven in which he was held below six half-PPR points. With momentum and the validation of his first-round pedigree this season, Pearsall could be an intriguing late-round fantasy pick in 2025 depending on the health of Brandon Aiyuk's knee, and if Pearsall can move past Jauan Jennings and/or Deebo Samuel Sr. in the 49ers' hierarchy.