Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Ricky Pearsall

Saturday, January 11, 11:50 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston did nothing right in a Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. Johnston was targeted five times and made no catches, the second game this season where he saw that many targets but still couldn't do anything with them. The play that encapsulated the NFL career of "QJ" so far was a fourth down route where he did not even get himself into first down territory, and then also just dropped the pass for good measure. Johnston showed some flashes this year of what made him a first-round pick in 2023, but he also showed some of what has Chargers fans hoping he's cut before next season begins.

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.