Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Ricky Pearsall
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.2 | 9.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Michael Penix Jr. News
Tuesday, March 10, 2:06 PM
The NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that when Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) recovers from his torn ACL, it will be an "open competition" at QB between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa. Both signal-callers have struggled to stay healthy -- Penix with three torn ACLs and Tagovailoa with multiple serious concussions -- but Tagovailoa has more experience and a Pro Bowl nod under his belt in his six years in the NFL. The former fifth overall pick out of Alabama led the league in passing yards in 2023, but has struggled the last two seasons and has failed to top the 3,000-yard mark. It's low risk for the Falcons since Tagovailoa will be on a veteran's minimum in 2026, and it gives the team a chance to push Penix once he's healthy and ready to go. The problem for Penix is that if he's not physically ready to play to begin the season and Tagovailoa looks good as the starter, he might not have a chance to win the job back. It will be an interesting battle to watch later this summer in an offense with plenty of weapons now being run by a bright offensive mind in Kevin Stefanski.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.7 | 69.2 | 0.4 |
Ricky Pearsall News
Thursday, March 12, 7:01 AM
A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games due to injury over the first two years of his NFL career. When healthy, Pearsall's production has been more solid than spectacular. Across nine games played in 2025, the 25-year-old hauled in 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets. The 49ers made one of the biggest splashes of the early portion of free agency by signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal. While the 32-year-old Evans may no longer be the player he once was at his peak, he still projects as San Francisco's top outside wideout and could push Pearsall to the WR2 role. On the bright side for Pearsall's production outlook, the 49ers could be losing wide receiver Jauan Jennings to free agency and will likely be without star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) for a chunk of 2026 as Kittle recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Still, the signing of Evans could signal that San Francisco does not view Pearsall as a number-one wide receiver option going forward and may be bad news for his long-term dynasty outlook.
Michael Penix Jr. vs. Ricky Pearsall
Still trying to decide between Penix Jr. and Pearsall? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 19.2 points this week while Ricky Pearsall is projected to score 16.2 points.
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