Who Should I Start? Christian Watson or George Pickens


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.9 0.7 0.0 3.4 52.2 0.4

Christian Watson News

Christian Watson No Longer Needs a Full Breakout to Pay Off

Wednesday, August 5, 10:57 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does not need to become a target hog to beat his current price. He returned from ACL surgery in Week 8 last season and caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Green Bay then cleared out part of the receiver room, letting Romeo Doubs leave and trading Dontayvion Wicks, while signing Watson to another long-term extension. That gives him a clearer path to steady snaps alongside Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. The risk has not disappeared. Watson has played 48 of a possible 68 regular-season games, and his downfield role has never produced more than 66 targets in a season. Tucker Kraft is also working toward a full Week 1 return, so Watson will still have competition near the goal line. RotoBaller ranks him WR29 in PPR, the same spot as his recently reported redraft ADP. That feels fair rather than expensive. Watson will have quiet weeks, but his touchdown upside and improved role give him a realistic chance to finish as a WR2. He is a worthwhile WR3 target for managers comfortable taking on the injury risk.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
14.3 0.1 0.0 4.7 70.1 0.4

George Pickens News

George Pickens Seen Practicing on Thursday

Thursday, August 6, 12:35 PM

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver George Pickens was seen practicing at training camp on Thursday and made a nice catch in close coverage down the sideline, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Although the Cowboys didn't really make much of an attempt to sign Pickens to a long-term extension this offseason, he showed up to training camp and has been on the field after signing his one-year, $23.7 million franchise tag for the 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 from the University of Georgia hit a new level in his first year in Dallas in the Cowboys' pass-happy offense, even while sharing targets with CeeDee Lamb. Pickens led the Cowboys with 93 receptions on 137 targets for 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in a career year to become a Pro Bowler for the first time in his fourth NFL season. He and Lamb will continue to torment defenses in 2026, with Pickens coming at a high price in fantasy drafts as a surefire WR1 after his breakout 2025 campaign.


Christian Watson vs. George Pickens

Still trying to decide between Watson and Pickens? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Christian Watson is projected to score 10.9 points this week while George Pickens is projected to score 14.3 points.