Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens enters Week 12 with the fourth-most receiving yards in the NFL and will look to advance his breakout campaign against the Cleveland Browns. Although the Browns have been solid defensively this year, they have been exploited by opposing wideouts. Cleveland allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to receivers despite surrendering the fourth-fewest receptions to the position. In other words, the Browns give up big plays and touchdowns, which is exactly how Pickens tends to make an impact. The third-year pro has only scored twice this season but is tied for the sixth-most red zone targets in the league and has had multiple touchdowns overturned or nullified by penalties. Fantasy managers should confidently deploy Pickens as a low-end WR1 on Thursday night.
Nov 20, 2024 7:46 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in eight of 12 targets for 89 yards in an 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Although this was far from a career-best performance for Pickens, the 23-year-old did set new single-game highs for himself in both targets and receptions. His most memorable play of the contest came on a beautiful deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson for a 37-yard gain late in the third quarter. He was targeted in the end zone multiple times but could not score a touchdown as Pittsburgh was forced to settle for six field goals. Fantasy managers who are slightly disappointed in Pickens' output given the favorable matchup should be encouraged by the elite usage he continued to see with Wilson under center. He'll have another opportunity for a big showing against the Cleveland Browns next week.
Nov 17, 2024 5:22 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been highly productive for fantasy recently and should continue to find success on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been the single-best matchup for fantasy wideouts this season and were eviscerated to the tune of 11 receptions, 264 yards, and three touchdowns by Ja'Marr Chase last week. Through three games with Russell Wilson under center, Pickens has garnered a 26% team target share and found the end zone twice. Although Mike Williams should be more involved in Pittsburgh's offensive game plan this week, Pickens will undoubtedly remain the top weapon in the passing game. The third-year pro is a must-start fantasy option as a WR1 with upside in Week 11.
Nov 15, 2024 7:27 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in five of seven targets for 91 yards and a score in a 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders. Pickens made an impact early on Sunday, coming down with an incredible touchdown grab on a 16-yard deep ball from Russell Wilson in the first quarter. He continued to operate as Wilson's favorite vertical option and came down with multiple catches in crucial moments. While the addition of Mike Williams to Pittsburgh's receiver corps paid off in a big way on Sunday, the veteran does not appear to be a threat to the elite target share that Pickens has garnered this season. The third-year pro will be a borderline must-start fantasy asset next week in a divisional showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
Nov 10, 2024 7:43 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has flashed massive potential with Russell Wilson at quarterback and will look to make the most of his opportunities in a Week 10 clash with the Washington Commanders. Pittsburgh traded for veteran wideout Mike Williams earlier this week, which could prove to be beneficial for Pickens' fantasy output. At this point in his career, Williams is not expected to earn a significant target share, but he should be able to draw some attention away from Pickens. While Washington has not surrendered a ton of passing yards this season, it is tied for the fifth-most touchdowns given up to receivers through nine weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to feel comfortable deploying Pickens as a WR2 with plenty of upside on Sunday.
Nov 8, 2024 9:20 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in four of five targets for 74 yards in a 26-18 win over the New York Giants. It was a solid outing for Pickens, but the 23-year-old was incredibly close to having a monster game. He scored a touchdown that was nullified by a face mask penalty on Pittsburgh's opening drive and later couldn't manage to get both feet in bounds on an impressive contested catch in the end zone. Nonetheless, Pickens continued to display excellent chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson, especially on a 43-yard deep shot that put Pittsburgh in the red zone on a crucial drive in the fourth quarter. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by Pickens' role in the offense and be optimistic that the touchdowns will come. His next opportunity will be against the Washington Commanders in Week 10 after the Steelers return from a bye.
Oct 29, 2024 12:25 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finally got rolling this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback in Week 7 and could continue heating up against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Pickens has been Pittsburgh's clear top option in the passing game all year but his talents seem to align perfectly with Wilson's style of play. Although the Giants have been solid defensively in 2024, Pickens' near-30% team target share keeps him in fantasy WR2 territory. It's worth noting that this contest is expected to be incredibly low-scoring, so while expectations should be managed, Pickens could still certainly end up on the receiving end of a few if not all deep balls from Wilson. Fantasy managers can confidently deploy him as a top-24 option in Week 8.
Oct 26, 2024 2:26 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in five receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. With Russell Wilson starting at quarterback, Pickens was consistently given opportunities downfield. He came down with multiple highlight-reel grabs and found pay dirt for the first time this season on an 11-yard fade route near the end of the second quarter. While Pickens was clearly the favorite target of Justin Fields, his skillset seems to better align with Wilson's strengths, which include stretching the field vertically. The 23-year-old should find himself back in fantasy WR2 territory next week in a bout with the New York Giants.
Oct 21, 2024 12:30 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been very disappointing for fantasy over the past two weeks and will look to turn things around against the New York Jets in Week 7. Unfortunately for Pickens, the Jets give up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per contest to opposing wideouts. There is a strong possibility, however, that Pickens sees an uptick in downfield opportunities if Pittsburgh indeed gives Russell Wilson the start at quarterback on Sunday night. While the Steelers' QB1 is yet to be officially announced, Pickens mentioned on Friday that he has been catching extra passes from Wilson after practice in preparation for "his first start". Pickens earned more than seven targets per game with Justin Fields under center but the pair did not combine for any touchdowns through the first six weeks of the campaign. Fantasy managers can adjust their expectations slightly based on which quarterback gets the nod, but Pickens should be viewed as a risky WR3 regardless in this matchup.
Oct 19, 2024 12:36 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in three of eight targets for 53 yards in a Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Pickens was the subject of much discussion heading into the contest after seeing limited playing time in Week 5. He once again was the favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields and managed to lead the Steelers in receiving on Sunday. Still, he dropped a few passes and underwhelmed relative to expectations as the team's clear WR1. The 23-year-old came down with a deep ball from Fields late in the fourth quarter for a 31-yard gain, but this was with the game well in hand. He'll hope to turn things around next week at home against the New York Jets.
Oct 13, 2024 8:25 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was unusually quiet last week and will look to make an impact against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Head coach Mike Tomlin labeled Pickens' surprisingly low snap share in Week 5 as "load management", basically stating that he hopes to keep the 23-year-old fresh for when he is on the field. While this could continue to be a part of the team's gameplan, the Steelers were clearly lacking playmakers in their loss to Dallas last Sunday night. Pickens will need the ball in his hands more frequently for Pittsburgh to find success offensively. Las Vegas has been more vulnerable to the run than the pass but should not be considered a pass defense to avoid, especially with the Steelers struggling on the ground so far this season. Pickens is the favorite weapon of quarterback Justin Fields, who will be starting again this week. Even with a reduced snap count, Pickens earned a target on 26% of Fields' pass attempts last week, a far greater share than any of his teammates. The duo should be able to connect on more opportunities against the Raiders, making Pickens a low-end WR2 or flex option with upside.
Oct 11, 2024 9:42 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said "load management" was the reason why wide receiver George Pickens was in on just 57 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, which was down nearly 30 percent from the previous week. For comparison, Mark Kaboly cites that top wideouts Mike Evans (87%), Garrett Wilson (96%), Justin Jefferson (95%) and Brandon Aiyuk (92%) were all much more involved for their respective teams. The 23-year-old Pickens had only three catches on seven targets for 26 yards. Pickens has yet to score a touchdown through five weeks of the NFL season and is falling to WR3/flex status on a weekly basis in this Steelers offense. He currently ranks as the WR38 in half-PPR scoring with 23 receptions for 310 yards in five contests. The good news is he has a good bounce-back opportunity in Week 6 against the Raiders.
Oct 8, 2024 1:12 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded three receptions for 26 yards on seven targets in a 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It was an oddly quiet night for Pickens, who was out-snapped by fellow wideouts Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III. When asked about the situation, head coach Mike Tomlin labeled it "snap management" and stated that there was no underlying reason for Pickens' minimal role. With Pickens on the sideline, it was made apparent that the Steelers are lacking explosive pass-catchers, making his limited utilization all the more confusing. He did manage to contribute on a pivotal possession late in the fourth quarter, gaining 21 yards on a short pass from Justin Fields that set up a go-ahead touchdown. The 23-year-old should be more involved in a Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Oct 7, 2024 1:56 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens had his best showing of the campaign in Week 4 and will look to carry positive momentum into a primetime showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Through the first four weeks of the season, Pickens has earned over 28% of the team's targets with quarterback Justin Fields at the helm. Fields has been steady as a passer in 2024 and consistently displays trust in Pickens as his go-to receiver. Dallas' defense has been solid against opposing wideouts but did allow rookie sensation Malik Nabers to post 12 receptions for 115 yards last week. The Cowboys are a bit banged up defensively, with linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) out and defensive back Trevon Diggs (ankle) questionable for Sunday night's contest. Although Diggs is expected to suit up, Pickens could benefit from any limitations faced by the former All-Pro corner. Pickens is yet to find the end zone this season but continues to offer fantasy managers plenty of upside due to his ability to make plays down the field. The 23-year-old should be locked into lineups as a WR2 this week.
Oct 5, 2024 3:27 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded seven receptions for 113 yards on 11 targets in a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. This was Pickens' best fantasy showing of the season in what was, by far, his most favorable matchup yet. Unfortunately, a few mistakes prevented Pickens from posting even better results. The 23-year-old was careless with the football late in the second quarter and lost a fumble after Pittsburgh drove 91 yards down the field. Later, he dropped an eight-yard pass from quarterback Justin Fields for what would've been his first touchdown of the campaign. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by Pickens' 32% team target share and know that better days are ahead. He'll have an opportunity to bounce back during prime time next Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sep 30, 2024 1:53 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been relatively quiet for fantasy purposes so far in 2024 and will look to turn things around against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Pickens once again led the Steelers in targets last week but was outshined by Calvin Austin III, who scored a 55-yard touchdown. Because of his ability to make plays downfield, Pickens is always a viable fantasy option, but his upside is even more solidified this week with the Colts surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing wideouts. As quarterback Justin Fields continues to get comfortable in Pittsburgh's offense, it's clear that Pickens will be his most reliable option. His guaranteed opportunities and high ceiling make Pickens an incredibly appealing fantasy WR2 this week.
Sep 28, 2024 2:17 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded five receptions for 57 yards on seven looks in the team's Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Pickens continued to operate as the clear WR1 in Pittsburgh despite being out-gained by teammate Calvin Austin III and dropping a pass on third down in the second quarter. Once again, the 23-year-old displayed chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields, leading the team in targets and earning an opportunity near the end zone. Through three weeks of the season, Pickens appears to be on the cusp of a breakout campaign. He'll hope to strike paydirt for the first time this year next week against the Indianapolis Colts.
Sep 22, 2024 5:01 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has looked every bit the part of a WR1 in 2024 but is yet to score as a top-24 fantasy option in half-PPR formats. He'll hope to change that at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. This is projected to be a low-scoring, run-heavy affair, but if both defenses continue to defend the run as well as they have through two weeks, shots will need to be taken downfield. Pickens is not only the clear favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields but also the premier vertical threat in Pittsburgh. Although the third-year pro could disappoint if the Steelers struggle to move the ball, he offers plenty of upside as a WR2 or flex option in most fantasy leagues.
Sep 20, 2024 11:24 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finished with just two receptions for 29 yards on four targets in the team's 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos. Although Pickens was quiet for fantasy purposes, this is a case where the box score statistics don't quite tell the whole story. In the second quarter, Pickens came down with an impressive catch on an even better throw by quarterback Justin Fields that was ultimately called back due to holding. On Pittsburgh's next possession, Pickens took a short pass into the endzone for a six-yard score, but an offensive pass interference call on receiver Van Jefferson erased the touchdown. All in all, this was a difficult matchup for Pickens to begin with, so fantasy managers should choose to be optimistic given his usage as the clear WR1 in this offense. Pickens and the Steelers will hope to put more points on the board in their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.
Sep 16, 2024 12:44 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens operated as the favorite weapon of quarterback Justin Fields last week and will hope to find continued success against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Unfortunately for the Steelers and fantasy managers alike, Pickens will likely be shadowed by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Surtain, the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, held Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf to just 29 yards on three receptions in Week 1. Pickens should still earn a respectable target share given Pittsburgh's lack of proven commodities at receiver, but fantasy managers must keep their expectations in check heading into Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old should be viewed as a WR3 or flex option this week.
Sep 13, 2024 11:51 PM EST
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