BALLER MOVE: Start
POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3/FLEX
ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hasn't been the most exciting player to watch, and the Steelers' offense tries its best to play as little football as possible by constantly running the ball and grinding the clock down, but Pickens is still a solid player to start in fantasy.
Pickens is the WR35 on the season despite receiving considerable hype before the season started. It's not really his fault, though. He has QB Justin Fields throwing to him, and Fields throwing for over 300 yards is a rarity, though it happened in Week 4 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that's one of the worst in the league.
George Pickens is a GREAT talent. But you won’t be a GREAT wide receiver with plays like this. WTF was he doing? pic.twitter.com/zjCwDjKNFF
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 29, 2024
That said, there will always be one other thing holding Pickens back, and it's himself. He's a fantastic talent but makes bonehead plays like this on a regular basis. It will be tough for him to hit WR2 status in this offense if he doesn't clean things like this up.
It doesn't help that the Steelers won't have a good quarterback for passing for at least another year. Russell Wilson is still dealing with his calf strain, and it's unclear when he'll return and whether that will be a boon for Pickens' production.
Either way, George is a fine start for now, but the upside isn't big yet.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Xavier Legette - Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3/FLEX ANALYSIS: Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette balled out in his expanded opportunity, with Panthers No. 2 wideout Adam Thielen now on Injured Reserve with a hamstring issue. Legette should continue to see his expanded role as long as Thielen is out. The rookie hauled in six passes […]
Romeo Doubs - Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 14+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3/WR4 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs just got a whole lot more interesting. (Former) star WR Christian Watson sprained his ankle in the Packers' Week 4 loss to the Vikings, meaning his targets are now available to the other receivers. Doubs saw eight […]
Geno Smith - Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end QB1 ANALYSIS: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is having another resurgent season. He was QB5 in 2022, and despite a down year last year, now has a new offensive staff that is better for him and the team. Smith had 395 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception along […]
Jaylen Waddle - Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Sit POSITIONAL VALUE: WR4 ANALYSIS: Managers of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle don't have a silver lining to their situation. Waddle is a sit if QB Tua Tagovailoa doesn't play. There weren't the kind of huge near-misses we saw with Tyreek Hill. Waddle managers will have to wait until Tua's return. Jaylen […]
Tyreek Hill - Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2/WR3 ANALYSIS: Life is miserable. The sun doesn't rise anymore. The color has drained out of everything, and now everything is black and white. At least, that's the way it feels to have drafted Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill right now. Ever since lead quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's injury, rostering […]