Who Should I Start? Jayden Reed or Ricky Pearsall

Thursday, January 29, 6:28 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed's third season in the NFL was marred by a broken collarbone and a foot injury that limited him to only seven games played. In his seven games, Reed caught 19 of his 22 targets for 207 yards and only one touchdown. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 out of Michigan State had 119 catches for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns on 169 targets in his first two seasons, adding 31 carries for 282 yards and another three TDs. Fantasy managers hoping for more of that production were sorely disappointed, but Reed should bounce back in 2026 with better health as a key piece of Green Bay's offense. The Packers' receiving corps is crowded with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden in the mix, but Romeo Doubs could depart in free agency. Savvy fantasy managers will want to keep Reed's name in mind as a WR sleeper this fall.

Tuesday, January 27, 12:58 PM

Heading into 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a popular pick to have a breakout season. However, the former first-round pick battled through a knee injury and recorded just 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games played. Availability has been a consistent issue for Pearsall so far in his NFL career, as he's played in just 20 games across his first two seasons. Even when on the field, the 25-year-old has not yet emerged as a featured option in the San Francisco passing game. He's logged just 99 targets in his career, an average of fewer than five per contest. However, Pearsall will likely have an opportunity for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. Star San Francisco tight end George Kittle (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's NFC Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will likely miss time in 2026 as a result. Additionally, 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings is set to hit unrestricted free agency in mid-March after leading the team's wide receiver corps in targets in 2025. Fully buying in on Pearsall remains difficult until he proves the ability to stay healthy for an extended stretch. Still, he appears to have a clear pathway to a lead role in the San Francisco passing game in 2026.