Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or George Pickens

Wednesday, April 23, 12:27 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) said that his back injury from the 2024 season is in the past and he didn't require surgery on his back. He said he was cleared to play last month and thinks he's done the work necessary to get past the fractured back that he played through last year. In addition to shaky quarterback play and Anthony Richardson eventually being benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, Pittman battled a busted back to finish with only 69 receptions, 808 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 16 games, which were all the lowest marks of his five-year NFL career since his rookie campaign in 2020 in which he played in only 13 games. The 27-year-old might be better off from a fantasy perspective if Daniel Jones wins the quarterback competition over Anthony Richardson this offseason, but either way, fantasy managers are going to be more skeptical of Pittman as a WR2 in 2025.

Tuesday, May 20, 1:30 PM

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he has been impressed with the early work of wide receiver George Pickens, especially in the meeting room. "I see a guy that's maturing," Schottenheimer said. The Cowboys made a splash this offseason by acquiring Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder. The 24-year-old is a nice upgrade at WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb in Dallas, and it's also a nice move for Pickens' fantasy value in 2025, as he'll be working with by far the best quarterback in his career in Dak Prescott. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia has had at least 801 yards receiving in his three NFL seasons but should have a chance for a career year in Dallas in 2025 in an offense that should be pass-happy under Schottenheimer.