Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or George Pickens

Friday, December 20, 4:02 PM

It's safe to call Buffalo Bills Amari Cooper (wrist) a risky fantasy football option in the team's matchup against the New England Patriots. The veteran earned 14 targets in a shootout versus Los Angeles two weeks ago. He followed that up with zero targets against Detroit (another shootout). Rookie Keon Coleman returned to the lineup last week and created a crowded wide receiver room. Cooper's been a part-time player since his arrival in upstate New York, often playing fewer snaps than Khalil Shakir, Coleman, and Mack Hollins. Cooper could also see a lot of star cornerback Christian Gonzalez on Sunday. There are no concerns about his wrist injury, but fantasy managers shouldn't trust Cooper in lineups this weekend.

Friday, December 20, 6:15 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) didn't officially practice this week and was ruled out for Saturday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens for the third straight game, but he is running and did make an effort to be cleared this week. The Steelers are optimistic that Pickens will be ready to go next Wednesday on Christmas Day to face the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old picked the worst possible time to miss games for fantasy managers relying on him in the postseason, but he could be back next week to resume his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout. If Pickens is active next week, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed not to throw him back in their starting lineups, even in a tough matchup against the Chiefs' stingy defense. Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams have done little in Pickens' absence, with tight end Pat Freiermuth being the biggest beneficiary.