Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or KhaDarel Hodge

Friday, January 9, 9:29 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne recorded 37 receptions for 551 yards (14.89 YPC) and zero touchdowns on 53 targets in 16 games in 2025. The majority of Bourne's production came in early October, when he stepped in as the team's main pass-catcher, with George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) all ruled out for a brief time. Bourne's role faded as the team continued to get healthy; however, should Pearsall miss Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bourne could find himself playing more often and would likely be elevated to the team's No. 2 wide receiver alongside Jennings. Additionally, according to Novig, the Niners are underdogs (+4.5) and should be in a game flow that favors a pass-happy approach, which would result in more target opportunities for Bourne should he get more playing time. Demarcus Robinson would likely be operating more in three-wide receiver sets. Pending Pearsall's availability, Bourne would be a bit of a dart throw in fantasy playoff leagues, but would be worth a roster as a long-shot option.

Saturday, November 22, 5:17 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge could be in line for a bump in volume in Week 12 against the Saints as Drake London (knee) is sidelined due to injury, with London's double-digit target volume up for grabs. The team's other back-end receiving options, David Sills V and Casey Washington, will also be vying for targets, but now in his fourth year with the team, Hodge has more familiarity in the offense and with Kirk Cousins. It may not amount to much more than a few catches, as it did in Week 8 when London was absent and Hodge compiled eight targets from Cousins, converting three of them for 31 yards. Managers in deep 14-team leagues or larger and those who play DFS could take a shot on the 30-year-old wideout as an under-the-radar lottery ticket in the event he finds the end zone.