Who Should I Start? Calvin Ridley or George Pickens

Wednesday, November 20, 1:42 PM

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that wide receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) is out sick on Wednesday and won't practice, but he's expected to return to the field on Thursday. Ridley is a little under the weather as the team begins their preparations for Week 12 against the division-rival Houston Texans. The 29-year-old has plenty of time to get right before Sunday's contest and shouldn't have an issue playing this weekend. Ridley will likely see a lot of coverage from Texans cornerback Derek Stingley as he looks to improve on his 4-58-0 line in the Week 11 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As long as Ridley is active in Week 12, fantasy managers should consider him a low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex. He's just two weeks removed from catching five passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wednesday, November 20, 7:46 PM

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.