Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Khalil Shakir

Friday, December 12, 7:47 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is coming off one of the worst showings of his breakout season, but he is still worth viewing as a WR1 in all formats when he faces the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Last Thursday, Pickens brought in just five of his nine targets for a mere 37 yards. This was his lowest total since Week 1, when he tallied only 30 yards on three receptions. His production last week was quite disappointing as the team's No. 1 WR, CeeDee Lamb, exited with a concussion. Still, Pickens was unable to connect with quarterback Dak Prescott. However, managers should continue to view Pickens as a must-start option as he enters Week 15 as the overall WR2 in PPR scoring despite his Week 14 dud. During Weeks 11 through 13, Pickens averaged an elite 24.6 PPR points per game and totaled 126 yards per game with two receiving scores. Overall, Pickens has found the back of the end zone eight times, which is the same number of times he found the end zone as a Steeler during the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined. Despite facing an elite Minnesota secondary that enters the fantasy playoffs allowing the fewest PPR points to opposing WRs, and Lamb cleared for action, Pickens still carries immense upside in all formats and is a must-start WR1 in all league types.

Saturday, December 13, 9:18 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has been quiet over the recent stretch of games. Shakir broke out for a season-high eight receptions for 110 yards on 10 targets against the Texans in Week 12, but in three games since, he's totaled just four receptions for 18 yards on 10 targets. The 25-year-old wideout is the only Bills wide receiver to average double-digit PPR points per game this season. However, Shakir has become tough to trust with how run-heavy the Bills have become, in addition to how spread out they are in the passing game. He profiles as a mid-tier WR3/flex option in Week 15 against a New England Patriots defense that ranks in the middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers.