Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Bryce Young

Tuesday, August 5, 9:16 PM

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes that it's a good sign of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens in head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense that the coaches have been able to "move him around to different receiver spots after he was exclusively an X receiver (split end) in Pittsburgh." Pickens and CeeDee Lamb worked out together in Florida in the offseason, and new receivers coach Junior Adams "has had the two working off each other constantly to try and build culture in his room." Things didn't end well for Pickens with the Steelers, but the early signs going into his first year in Dallas are "pretty good." The 24-year-old former second-rounder has had at least 801 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He's going to take a back seat to Lamb in this offense, but in what should be a pass-happy scheme, Pickens has lots of upside as a WR3/flex in fantasy in his new home.

Sunday, August 17, 11:40 AM

The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young turned in a performance to forget in a 20-3 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday. Head coach Dave Canales had planned for Young and the starting offense to play three series, but he wound up pulling the third-year QB after a mere six plays. Young went 0-for-2, took a sack, and threw an interception to cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. that was negated by a defensive holding call. The former No. 1 overall pick gained two yards on a scramble, but that was it in terms of positive plays. Canales announced that the starters won't play the exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, meaning Young will wrap up his preseason 4-for-8 for 58 yards over two games. Heading into his age-24 campaign, Young is expected to take another step forward after showing progress last year. He tossed 12 touchdowns against three interceptions in his final eight games in 2024, leading to hope that the former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama had figured it out at the NFL level. The Young-led Panthers will open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 7.