Who Should I Start? Christian Watson or George Pickens

Saturday, December 21, 4:45 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has been the Packers' primary downfield option in recent weeks and looks to break off some long gains as the Packers host the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. Watson's game is well-known at this point for fantasy: break off a long gain or two and hope he gets into the end zone. With two 100-yard games in his past five contests, Watson has been a solid fantasy option. When he hasn't, he's been hard to stomach when in lineups. With Romeo Doubs returning last week from concussion protocol, that adds another weapon and spreads out targets even more for the other remaining pass-catchers like Watson, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, and others. With Watson being a clear boom-or-bust option in fantasy football lineups, he's more of a volatile flex option despite a great matchup against the Saints in Week 16.

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.