Who Should I Start? Jerry Jeudy or George Pickens

Friday, December 20, 5:50 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been a second-half MVP in fantasy leagues. He caught 11 passes for 108 yards in his most recent game, a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Jeudy and the Browns now draw an excellent matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 16. The Bengals have struggled against opposing passing attacks this season, allowing the 13th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. That being said, the Browns benched Jameis Winston earlier this week and will turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, a move that significantly downgrades the entire Cleveland passing attack. Jeudy is still playable in fantasy but he settles in as more of a flex option/WR3-type as opposed to the high-end WR2 that he had been in fantasy over the past month or so.

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.