Who Should I Start? Robert Woods or Ricky Pearsall

Monday, December 23, 6:58 PM

Following two serious injuries ahead of him, Robert Woods of the Houston Texans could find himself as a popular, but not recommended, waiver wire addition going into a Christmas Day meeting against Baltimore. The Texans have had awful wide receiver luck, losing both Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) for the year, leading them to claim Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday. While top target Nico Collins remains the clear No. 1 option, Woods drew a season-high six targets after Dell's injury in Week 16. Additionally, the Ravens have been one of the worst defenses in the league against fantasy receivers at 30th overall. But ultimately, starting a receiver who has just 16 catches in 15 games at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is an unnecessary risk.

Monday, December 23, 12:49 AM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was marginally involved during a 29-17 loss to the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. The first-round pick caught all four of his targets for 37 yards. After missing the early part of the year due to a gunshot wound, Pearsall's production escalated each game from Week 7 to Week 10, culminating in a 17.3 half-PPR performance at Tampa Bay. Any fantasy optimism quickly fizzled out though, as Pearsall then recorded three straight goose eggs. Sunday's modest performance was the most productive Pearsall has been since the aforementioned Bucs game. The 49ers will almost certainly need to make full use of their passing attack in Week 17 when the Detroit Lions bring an elite offense to Levi's Stadium, but Pearsall will be nothing more than a deep-league prayer, barring an injury ahead of him.