Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or George Pickens

Wednesday, February 11, 9:12 AM

Wide receiver Keenan Allen has played 12 of his 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. While he enters the 2026 season without a contract, he has recently stated that he fully intends to continue his career and isn't considering any team besides the Chargers. After playing one season in Chicago, Allen returned to Los Angeles in 2025 and led the team in targets and receptions, while playing in all 17 games. With the Chargers welcoming in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, there is little doubt that their offense will see an influx of pre-snap motion, which should help to create space for a receiving corps that saw no player top 800 yards in 2025. Assuming Allen's return on another short-term deal, the question then becomes where he fits in, with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston both seeing stints as the team's most reliable wideout, and second-rounder Tre Harris handling an increased role down the stretch. Regardless of where he lands in the pecking order, Allen is a practically free pickup in dynasty leagues for contenders looking to add fill-in depth.

Monday, February 23, 8:03 AM

The Dallas Cowboys will finalize the franchise tag for wide receiver George Pickens in the next week, according to executive vice president Stephen Jones. The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins writes that if Pickens gets franchise-tagged, "there's a strong possibility he will not report to the offseason programs as the team engages in contract talks with his agents." Edge rusher Micah Parsons didn't show up for the offseason program last year while in contract talks with the club before eventually being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Pickens, 24, will be back with Dallas in 2026 after earning his first Pro Bowl berth with career-highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine). The franchise tag for receivers is projected at $28 million. A tag-and-trade scenario is possible, but both sides have an interest in a reunion in 2026 and beyond. With Pickens expected to be in Dallas again this year, he'll be firmly in the WR1 range in fantasy football drafts this fall after his big 2025 campaign.