Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Kendrick Bourne

Friday, January 2, 9:44 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will need to be at his best for the must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Evans mostly struggled last week until he snagged a four-yard touchdown in the final moments of the loss to the Miami Dolphins. The veteran wideout will look to extend his two-game touchdown streak during this Week 18 contest. Since returning in Week 15 from a broken collarbone, Evans has seen 28 targets and has hauled in 14 of them for 194 yards. The expectation is that Evans will continue being a focal point in the passing game for this must-win contest. The 32-year-old has done enough to earn the respect as a WR2 in fantasy football for this Saturday afternoon contest.

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.