Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Alec Pierce

Saturday, December 20, 9:15 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has not been a dependable fantasy option throughout the 2025 season, and that trend should continue as he returns from injury in Week 16 against the New England Patriots. Bateman is the overall WR93 in scoring this year, catching just 18 of his 35 targets through 11 games. He has finished with more than two catches in just one game this year, and two of his games have resulted in zero catches. Bateman remains stuck behind Zay Flowers in a wide receiver room that handles a below-average number of targets. This week, he'll face off against a Patriots secondary facing injury-related question marks. Superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez is healthy, but there's less certainty about Marcus Jones (knee) and Carlton Davis III (hip), who are both questionable. Regardless of their injury statuses, Bateman shouldn't be started in fantasy football this week. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR78 for Week 16.

Sunday, December 21, 1:13 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce was a disappointment for fantasy managers in Week 15's loss to the Seahawks, and he won't be any easier to trust for this Monday's bout with the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Pierce corralled his lone target (16 yards) in last Sunday's loss to Seattle and was the only Colts' pass-catcher to command fewer than four looks. The former Cincinnati Bearcat made his money all season on downfield throws, while also evolving his game in the intermediate area of the field. However, his value will take a considerable hit with quarterback Philip Rivers manning the offense. At 44 years of age, the veteran's arm strength is limited, and that showed in spades during last week's contest. Considering Pierce's archetype doesn't precisely line up with Rivers' capabilities, he's perhaps the riskiest fantasy play of all Colts' wideouts, ranking as RotoBaller's PPR WR66 for his Monday Night Football matchup.