Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Ricky Pearsall

Friday, January 3, 7:40 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is not worth a fantasy roster spot in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. While Lockett would likely like to have a good game in what could be his final game in a Seahawks uniform, the fact is that he has been completely phased out of Seattle's offense with the emergence of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Week 17 against the Chicago Bears was Lockett's best game in weeks. He caught three passes for 20 yards last Thursday. It was encouraging to see Lockett earn more than three targets for the first time since Week 9. However, his four targets were not exactly groundbreaking. Unless Lockett finds the end zone, he will be a useless fantasy asset this week. Leave him on waivers once again in Week 18.

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.