George Pickens Should See More Involvement In Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was unusually quiet last week and will look to make an impact against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Head coach Mike Tomlin labeled Pickens' surprisingly low snap share in Week 5 as "load management", basically stating that he hopes to keep the 23-year-old fresh for when he is on the field. While this could continue to be a part of the team's gameplan, the Steelers were clearly lacking playmakers in their loss to Dallas last Sunday night. Pickens will need the ball in his hands more frequently for Pittsburgh to find success offensively. Las Vegas has been more vulnerable to the run than the pass but should not be considered a pass defense to avoid, especially with the Steelers struggling on the ground so far this season. Pickens is the favorite weapon of quarterback Justin Fields, who will be starting again this week. Even with a reduced snap count, Pickens earned a target on 26% of Fields' pass attempts last week, a far greater share than any of his teammates. The duo should be able to connect on more opportunities against the Raiders, making Pickens a low-end WR2 or flex option with upside.
"Load Management" The Reason For George Pickens' Decreased Snaps
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said "load management" was the reason why wide receiver George Pickens was in on just 57 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, which was down nearly 30 percent from the previous week. For comparison, Mark Kaboly cites that top wideouts Mike Evans (87%), Garrett Wilson (96%), Justin Jefferson (95%) and Brandon Aiyuk (92%) were all much more involved for their respective teams. The 23-year-old Pickens had only three catches on seven targets for 26 yards. Pickens has yet to score a touchdown through five weeks of the NFL season and is falling to WR3/flex status on a weekly basis in this Steelers offense. He currently ranks as the WR38 in half-PPR scoring with 23 receptions for 310 yards in five contests. The good news is he has a good bounce-back opportunity in Week 6 against the Raiders.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded three receptions for 26 yards on seven targets in a 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It was an oddly quiet night for Pickens, who was out-snapped by fellow wideouts Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III. When asked about the situation, head coach Mike Tomlin labeled it "snap management" and stated that there was no underlying reason for Pickens' minimal role. With Pickens on the sideline, it was made apparent that the Steelers are lacking explosive pass-catchers, making his limited utilization all the more confusing. He did manage to contribute on a pivotal possession late in the fourth quarter, gaining 21 yards on a short pass from Justin Fields that set up a go-ahead touchdown. The 23-year-old should be more involved in a Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
George Pickens A Fantasy WR2 For Sunday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens had his best showing of the campaign in Week 4 and will look to carry positive momentum into a primetime showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Through the first four weeks of the season, Pickens has earned over 28% of the team's targets with quarterback Justin Fields at the helm. Fields has been steady as a passer in 2024 and consistently displays trust in Pickens as his go-to receiver. Dallas' defense has been solid against opposing wideouts but did allow rookie sensation Malik Nabers to post 12 receptions for 115 yards last week. The Cowboys are a bit banged up defensively, with linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) out and defensive back Trevon Diggs (ankle) questionable for Sunday night's contest. Although Diggs is expected to suit up, Pickens could benefit from any limitations faced by the former All-Pro corner. Pickens is yet to find the end zone this season but continues to offer fantasy managers plenty of upside due to his ability to make plays down the field. The 23-year-old should be locked into lineups as a WR2 this week.
George Pickens Eclipses Century Mark Against Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded seven receptions for 113 yards on 11 targets in a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. This was Pickens' best fantasy showing of the season in what was, by far, his most favorable matchup yet. Unfortunately, a few mistakes prevented Pickens from posting even better results. The 23-year-old was careless with the football late in the second quarter and lost a fumble after Pittsburgh drove 91 yards down the field. Later, he dropped an eight-yard pass from quarterback Justin Fields for what would've been his first touchdown of the campaign. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by Pickens' 32% team target share and know that better days are ahead. He'll have an opportunity to bounce back during prime time next Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been relatively quiet for fantasy purposes so far in 2024 and will look to turn things around against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Pickens once again led the Steelers in targets last week but was outshined by Calvin Austin III, who scored a 55-yard touchdown. Because of his ability to make plays downfield, Pickens is always a viable fantasy option, but his upside is even more solidified this week with the Colts surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing wideouts. As quarterback Justin Fields continues to get comfortable in Pittsburgh's offense, it's clear that Pickens will be his most reliable option. His guaranteed opportunities and high ceiling make Pickens an incredibly appealing fantasy WR2 this week.
George Pickens Productive With Seven Targets In Week 3 Win
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded five receptions for 57 yards on seven looks in the team's Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Pickens continued to operate as the clear WR1 in Pittsburgh despite being out-gained by teammate Calvin Austin III and dropping a pass on third down in the second quarter. Once again, the 23-year-old displayed chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields, leading the team in targets and earning an opportunity near the end zone. Through three weeks of the season, Pickens appears to be on the cusp of a breakout campaign. He'll hope to strike paydirt for the first time this year next week against the Indianapolis Colts.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has looked every bit the part of a WR1 in 2024 but is yet to score as a top-24 fantasy option in half-PPR formats. He'll hope to change that at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. This is projected to be a low-scoring, run-heavy affair, but if both defenses continue to defend the run as well as they have through two weeks, shots will need to be taken downfield. Pickens is not only the clear favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields but also the premier vertical threat in Pittsburgh. Although the third-year pro could disappoint if the Steelers struggle to move the ball, he offers plenty of upside as a WR2 or flex option in most fantasy leagues.
George Pickens Has Solid Outing Nullified By Penalties In Week 2 Win
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finished with just two receptions for 29 yards on four targets in the team's 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos. Although Pickens was quiet for fantasy purposes, this is a case where the box score statistics don't quite tell the whole story. In the second quarter, Pickens came down with an impressive catch on an even better throw by quarterback Justin Fields that was ultimately called back due to holding. On Pittsburgh's next possession, Pickens took a short pass into the endzone for a six-yard score, but an offensive pass interference call on receiver Van Jefferson erased the touchdown. All in all, this was a difficult matchup for Pickens to begin with, so fantasy managers should choose to be optimistic given his usage as the clear WR1 in this offense. Pickens and the Steelers will hope to put more points on the board in their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens operated as the favorite weapon of quarterback Justin Fields last week and will hope to find continued success against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Unfortunately for the Steelers and fantasy managers alike, Pickens will likely be shadowed by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Surtain, the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, held Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf to just 29 yards on three receptions in Week 1. Pickens should still earn a respectable target share given Pittsburgh's lack of proven commodities at receiver, but fantasy managers must keep their expectations in check heading into Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old should be viewed as a WR3 or flex option this week.
