Who Should I Start? Rome Odunze or Ricky Pearsall

Monday, July 14, 7:16 PM

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze should be much better in 2025 with a better offensive scheme and improved quarterback play out of Caleb Williams. Fantasy managers were disappointed with Odunze last season after he was taken ninth overall by the Bears out of Washington. However, Fishbain points out that the 23-year-old pass-catcher was fifth among all rookies in receiving yards (734) while catching 53.5% of his targets. He was most definitely inconsistent and scored only three times in 17 games (12 starts), but there remains plenty of upside, and he should be better in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense with Keenan Allen gone. Odunze's after-the-catch abilities and physical prowess make him a nice WR3/flex with upside to target in fantasy drafts.

Tuesday, July 22, 2:28 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday, but David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reports that the team anticipates activating him within the first few days of camp. Pearsall tweaked his hamstring in a workout back in May. A first-round pick in 2024, Pearsall played in 11 games as a rookie and recorded 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns. San Francisco's receiver room is filled with uncertainty heading into the start of camp. Along with Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season as he recovers from multiple torn ligaments in his knee, and Jauan Jennings may hold in as he seeks a new contract from the team. If Pearsall can quickly recover from this injury, he could be in line to lead San Francisco receivers in targets early in the season.