Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or George Pickens


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
16.1 0.1 0.0 5.8 72.3 0.5

Justin Jefferson News

Justin Jefferson Limited on Wednesday, "Doing Well"

Wednesday, October 7, 2:24 PM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is "doing well" and will be limited in Wednesday's practice. Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and did not practice last week before being ruled out for the Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins. The All-Pro receiver is not a lock to return for a Week 5 tilt on the road against the New Orleans Saints, but the fact that he is back at practice early in the week is a good sign. Fellow receiver Jordan Addison is nursing a hamstring injury this week as well, so Minnesota's receiving corps could be short-handed against New Orleans. Jefferson is a must-start in all traditional fantasy football leagues when he is active, but we will need to keep a close eye on his status over the next two days. With Jefferson out and Addison getting injured on Sunday, tight end T.J. Hockenson had a big game through the air. Jefferson has caught 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in three games this year, and he has yet to really develop chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, with the two players already missing time with injuries in 2026.


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
13.5 0.1 0.0 4.5 66.1 0.4

George Pickens News

George Pickens Still Seeking Breakout Game In Week 5 vs Buccaneers

Wednesday, October 7, 1:30 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has yet to score a touchdown or eclipse 20 PPR fantasy points in any of his games this season after scoring seven times and logging five such productive games in 2025. It's clear now that fellow Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb never returned to full health last season after his high-ankle sprain early in the year, and Pickens was able to capitalize by becoming Dallas' most productive receiver. That script has flipped this season. Pickens was disconcertingly only targeted three times in the Cowboys' Week 4 win over the Houston Texans despite the game featuring almost 800 yards of total offense. Pickens has not been living up to his second-round ADP in fantasy football, and looks more like an auxiliary piece than a WR1B to Lamb. A game against such a weak defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 is a great chance for him to get back on track, though. Fantasy managers should exercise patience with Pickens and leave him in starting lineups for now. He showed fantastic upside last season, and could be on the verge of a huge game on Thursday Night Football.


Justin Jefferson vs. George Pickens

Still trying to decide between Jefferson and Pickens? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Justin Jefferson is projected to score 16.1 points this week while George Pickens is projected to score 13.5 points.