Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Jaylin Noel

Saturday, February 21, 10:14 AM

Across 16 games in 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne recorded 37 receptions for 551 yards on 53 targets. A significant chunk of Bourne's production came in a two-game stretch in Weeks 5 and 6, when he hauled in 15 receptions for 284 yards on 20 targets. As the 49ers' pass-catching corps got healthier in the later part of the season, Bourne's role faded out of fantasy relevance. Bourne is now set to hit free agency ahead of 2026, which will be his age-31 season. Fellow 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings is also a free agent, and star San Francisco tight end George Kittle (Achilles) could miss a chunk of 2026 with a torn Achilles tendon. As a result, a return to San Francisco could mean Bourne has a role in the team's passing game, especially early in the year. However, the veteran wideout's best days appear to be behind him, and he may not play a fantasy-relevant role in 2026 and beyond.

Wednesday, February 11, 9:36 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel had a quiet rookie season, in which he finished seventh on the team in targets and was held without a reception through two playoff games, but the 2025 third-round pick at least showed flashes throughout the year. He put up a combined 140 yards in what was his best two-week stretch against the Seahawks and 49ers, but he was unable to build on that success, and he all but lost his role in three-receiver sets when Christian Kirk returned from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks. The 23-year-old is currently being drafted as an afterthought in dynasty startups, but with Kirk no longer under contract heading into a new league year, there is a strong chance Noel will reclaim primary slot duties, making him a player potentially being slept on heading into 2026.