Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or George Pickens


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
21.5 0.0 0.0 9.0 91.8 0.6

Justin Jefferson News

Vikings Restructuring Justin Jefferson's Contract

Friday, March 6, 6:55 AM

The Minnesota Vikings are doing simple contract restructures of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw to clear salary cap space for the 2026 season, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Vikings must get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year next Wednesday. Jefferson managed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season to begin his career, but his 1,048 receiving yards were a new career-low as he caught 84 passes on 141 targets for a career-low two touchdowns in 17 starts. The 26-year-old and the rest of Minnesota's offense were held hostage by injuries and inconsistent play by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Player of the Year should still be considered a high-end WR1 in fantasy, but he could be more volatile again in 2026 if McCarthy or a new QB doesn't raise the level of play in the Vikings' offense.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
14.2 0.0 0.0 5.0 63.1 0.5

George Pickens News

George Pickens Expected to Hold Out Until Long-Term Deal is Reached

Friday, February 27, 12:45 PM

The Dallas Cowboys officially placed the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver George Pickens on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Now the two sides will try to work out a long-term contract extension before the July 15 deadline, with executive vice president Stephen Jones saying that the team isn't putting any timeframe on it. Rapoport said he does not expect Pickens to report to the team's facilities "unless and until there is a long-term deal." Rapoport also wonders if there is a team out there that would be willing to give up a premium draft pick and sign Pickens to a long-term deal themselves to try to pry the 24-year-old away from Dallas for 2026 and beyond. If Dallas and Pickens are unable to reach a long-term deal by July 15, and he's not traded, he'd play the upcoming season on a one-year, fully guaranteed $28 million contract. All signs point to the former second-rounder playing in Dallas again in 2026, where he had a career-best 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Pickens is a locked-in WR1 in fantasy for this fall.


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 21.5 points this week while George Pickens is projected to score 14.2 points.