Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Ricky Pearsall

Sunday, December 28, 8:14 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught 10 of his 13 targets for 76 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. McBride continues to be the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football this season, and he widened the gap between himself and the rest of the tight end position on Sunday afternoon. Along the way, he also set a new NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single season. It's safe to say that McBride is the best and most dependable tight end in the league. He should continue to be deployed as a high-end TE1 in a pass-heavy game approach against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. He also figures to be the first tight end off the board (and a potential first-round pick) in 2026 fantasy football drafts.

Sunday, December 28, 7:09 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is officially active for Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Having Pearsall available is key for the 49ers, who will be without George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday night. While Kittle is irreplaceable, Pearsall's return from a one-game absence fills a significant void in the passing game. He should handle a heavy dose of targets alongside Jauan Jennings and Jake Tonges. As it stands, Pearsall ranks as a mid-range WR3/flex against a Bears defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025.