Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Ricky Pearsall

Wednesday, September 4, 8:36 PM

While Los Angeles Chargers second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston showed dramatic improvement as a route-runner in training camp and the preseason this summer, The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that his hands are still a concern. Johnston had several drops in camp, but the former first-rounder should still offer more than he did in 2023 in what was a disappointing rookie campaign. The problem for fantasy managers that drafted Johnston in dynasty/keeper leagues last year is that he's opening the 2024 season as the WR4 in LA behind Joshua Palmer, rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey and deep threat DJ Chark (hip). The 22-year-old went undrafted in most standard-sized fantasy leagues, although he could jump into the starting lineup this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders and be a DFS sleeper if Chark is unable to play.

Thursday, September 5, 10:22 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest, shoulder) will take it easy for around a week to avoid working up a sweat but will begin his rehab after that. Pearsall was shot in the chest last Saturday during a robbery attempt but was released from the hospital the following day and has made remarkable progress already. The Niners put him on the Non-Football Injury list, so the 23-year-old will be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of his first year in the NFL. In addition to recovering from a gunshot wound to his chest, Pearsall was also rehabbing a shoulder injury that limited him in training camp and the preseason. It remains to be seen when Pearsall can join San Fran's offense, but right now, he's merely a stash in dynasty/keeper fantasy leagues. Pearsall's injuries have opened the door for a bigger role for Jauan Jennings as the WR3.