Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Ricky Pearsall

Tuesday, April 29, 12:14 AM

The Athletic's Daniel Popper thinks Los Angeles Chargers former first-rounder wide receiver Quentin Johnston will have to earn his roster spot in training camp this summer after the team added wideout Tre Harris in the second round this year. Harris and Mike Williams are downfield, contested-catch weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert, while Ladd McConkey has already proven himself as a game-changing slot receiver after just one year in the NFL. Popper thinks the Chargers will initially have McConkey in the slot, Williams at X and Harris at Z. Rookie Keandre Lambert-Smith will give the Bolts more speed on the field when they want it. The drop-prone Johnston was better last year with a 55-711-8 line in 15 games, but the addition of Harris is bad news for his fantasy value in single-year and dynasty/keeper formats in 2025.

Sunday, January 5, 10:47 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall followed last week's breakout game with another strong showing in Sunday's 47-24 Week 18 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. The Arizona native caught six of eight targets for 69 yards, including a six-yard touchdown grab on a contested slant pattern from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Pearsall, who started his 49ers career on a terrifying note -- being shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt -- had an up-and-down year once he debuted in Week 7. Pearsall produced four fantasy-useful performances in 2024 but seven in which he was held below six half-PPR points. With momentum and the validation of his first-round pedigree this season, Pearsall could be an intriguing late-round fantasy pick in 2025 depending on the health of Brandon Aiyuk's knee, and if Pearsall can move past Jauan Jennings and/or Deebo Samuel Sr. in the 49ers' hierarchy.