Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Xavier Hutchinson

Saturday, October 25, 6:01 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will likely be in the team's starting lineup for Week 8 with Ricky Pearsall (knee) declared out. With Pearsall out in Weeks 5 and 6, Bourne exploded for 142 receiving yards in both games. His production cratered in Week 7, however, to two catches for 14 yards on two targets, while Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) earned seven. An increasingly healthy Jennings could remain a focal point on offense, and George Kittle's target share will assuredly grow after being used almost exclusively as a blocker in his return from injured reserve last week. Bourne's rapport with Mac Jones (knee, oblique), who will start again in Week 8, may be for naught with the increasing number of mouths to feed. Bourne projects as a borderline WR3/4 and will be a tough start against a Houston defense that ranks fourth in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.

Monday, October 27, 12:23 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught five of his six targets for a team-high 69 yards and a touchdown in the 26-15 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday, with both Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined by injuries. Hutchinson was tied for second on the team in targets and also tied for the team lead with his five receptions in a Houston offense that has suddenly become pass-happy in recent weeks. The 25-year-old's touchdown catch was a 30-yard connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Although Hutchinson is worth a look as a short-term WR replacement after his strong Week 8 performance, his role is likely to shrink again once one of Collins or Kirk returns, and the Texans have a shy-away matchup next week at home against the Denver Broncos. If you're going to pluck Hutchinson off the waiver wire this week, we wouldn't recommend spending much on him.