Who Should I Start? Jaylen Waddle or George Pickens


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
13.2 0.6 0.0 4.7 63.7 0.3

Jaylen Waddle News

Jaylen Waddle Doesn't Make an Impact Versus Chargers

Sunday, October 11, 3:54 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had limited impact in a 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Waddle recorded just two receptions (on five targets) for 19 yards. He added one rush for six yards. Waddle was on the field for 40 offensive snaps, but on a day when quarterback Bo Nix threw for only 123 yards, there weren't many opportunities in the passing game. Tight end Evan Engram led the Broncos with four receptions for 55 yards, while wide receiver Courtland Sutton caught Nix's only touchdown pass on Sunday. This is the third time in the first five games of 2026 that Waddle recorded two receptions or fewer, and he has recorded 35 receiving yards or fewer in four out of five games this season. His usage is something to monitor moving forward.


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
13.5 0.1 0.0 4.5 66.6 0.4

George Pickens News

George Pickens Finally Breaks Out, Validates 2nd Round Fantasy ADP In Loss

Thursday, October 8, 7:37 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens finally had a monster game in his team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 5. The second-year Cowboy caught nine of his 13 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown in an upset loss to the 0-4 Bucs. It was apparent from early in the game that Cowboys WR1 CeeDee Lamb (quad) was playing injured, and he was eventually pulled from the game due to the injury. He was cleared from the team's injury report with the same issue before the game, so it looks like he aggravated a pre-existing issue. While Pickens' night was fantastic for his fantasy managers, it appears that he doesn't have anywhere near the upside he had last season when Lamb is actually healthy. But it's possible No. 88 could miss time, in which case Pickens immediately becomes a WR1 with top-5 fantasy scoring potential every week. The Cowboys will face the Green Bay Packers next, who are another team struggling on defense this year. Pickens has easy week-winning upside if Lamb can't play or is still hampered by his quad injury next week, so Dallas' injury reports next week should be followed closely.


Jaylen Waddle vs. George Pickens

Still trying to decide between Waddle and Pickens? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylen Waddle is projected to score 13.2 points this week while George Pickens is projected to score 13.5 points.