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Chris Olave or Ricky Pearsall: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 1, 2025 season)

Updated: Sep 25

Start/Sit Decisions

NOTE: This content is for a previous week of fantasy football. But don't fear!


When you're facing a tough start/sit decision on your fantasy football team, you may end up having to choose between Chris Olave or Ricky Pearsall. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.


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Historical Player Data



Chris Olave

Ricky Pearsall

Floor (75% of games)

10+ PPR points

8+ PPR points

Median (50% of games)

15+ PPR points

12+ PPR points

Ceiling (25% of games)

18+ PPR points

17+ PPR points

Through the Roof (Top 10% of games)

21+ PPR points

24+ PPR points




Game Scripts


Cardinals at Saints projects as a minimal-scoring, pass-heavy affair for the Saints as they try to keep up with the high-scoring Cardinals. Their dangerously low implied point total — the 3rd lowest among all 32 teams on the week 1 slate — suggests minimal scoring opportunities and very few fantasy football fireworks. Their unfavorable 6.5 point spread suggests they'll be playing this game from behind, a negative game script that could suppress rushing volume while spiking passing volume. It's a red flag for Saints' ball carriers while a potential target boost for their pass catchers (of course, Alvin Kamara is both).


49ers at Seahawks projects as a closely-contested but lower scoring game with a narrow 2.5 point spread and an over/under of just 43.5 points, tied for the 3rd lowest total among all 16 games on the week 1 slate. The narrow spread suggests neutral game script and a balanced offensive approach from both teams, while the low over/under suggests that touchdown opportunities will be few and far between, limiting the ceiling for most players in this game.




Chris Olave: Bottom Line


Volume-driven WR2/WR3 with a capped TD ceiling. Expect Chris Olave ~11–16 PPR points on 8–11 targets in a pass-heavy game script; New Orleans’ third-lowest team total limits upside—path to 18–20 PPR points is double-digit targets plus a red-zone conversion or a long play.




Ricky Pearsall: Bottom Line


WR3 with WR2 upside if he takes on a higher volume role. Expect Ricky Pearsall ~10–15 PPR points on 5–8 targets. Deebo Samuel's exit and Brandon Aiyuk on PUP boost his target share and raise his floor.




Should I start Chris Olave or Ricky Pearsall?


In PPR settings, I feel safer that Chris Olave's volume will be there as the WR1 on a trailing team with limited targeted competition around him. There's probably not a ton of ceiling there, but Chris Olave is who I would pick for teams that are projected to be ahead or in a closely projected matchup.




Week Winners + Discord = Winning your league in 2025


Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.


Sign up to Basement Brewed Fantasy Football today and start making smarter lineup decisions that can dominate through the 2025 NFL season.

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