The second-year receiver Pickens has breakout potential, but because it's contingent on so many factors that you may want to let someone else reach for him. Averaging 9.8 PPR points per game over his rookie year, he finished 2022 with 16-plus PPR in two of his final three games while managing to lead all Steelers receivers in touchdowns (four), explosive play rate (21.8%) and average depth of target (10.39). He didn't get it done by speeding away from coverage either; it was a combination of really good ball placement and fighting for perfect position against defensive backs. If Pickens is going to take a big step forward, he'll need to continue mastering contested catches and see a huge boost in targets. And he'll have to do this while Diontae Johnson somehow sees fewer targets and the quarterback play from the Steelers improves quite a bit. That's a lot to ask for. Pickens is a terrific talent, but he might not see even 6.9 targets per game, which is 2.0 more than what he had in 2022. Round 6 is the absolute earliest point to go after him.
Steelers' George Pickens: Team-high reception total in loss
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Pickens secured five of six targets for 19 yards in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.
The talented second-year wideout struggled yet again to make an impact, although Mitch Trubisky's lackluster play certainly played a large part in Pickens' struggles. Pickens' catch total was a team high on the night, but his 3.8 yards per reception made it a completely unproductive performance outside of season-long or daily full-PPR formats. Pickens does have at least four receptions in three of the past four games, and he'll aim to take advantage of a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Manages 86 yards against Arizona
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Pickens recorded four receptions on five targets for 86 yards in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Cardinals.
Pickens opened the game in exceptional fashion, racking up 51 yards between two catches within the first three plays from scrimmage. He slowed down considerably from there, in part due to the absence of Kenny Pickett (ankle) and also because of rainy conditions. Positively, it was still Pickens' most productive performance since a Week 7 win over the Rams and marked only the second time he's topped 50 yards in six games since.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Racks up 58 yards
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Pickens secured three of five targets for 58 yards during the Steelers' 16-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
The Steelers offense looked much more effective this week after offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired ahead of Week 12, and Pickens had his best game since tallying 107 receiving yards against the Rams in Week 7. Pickens still could show some inconsistency as the season progresses, but it appears likely that he'll have more upside with a new offensive play caller in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' George Pickens: In clear for Sunday's game
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Pickens (shin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickens was sidelined for the Steelers' first Week 12 practice Wednesday due to the shin issue, but he erased any lingering concern about his health by advancing to limited activity Thursday and then full participation Friday. The second-year wideout has played at least 85 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in each of his first 10 appearances of the season, and he should comfortably clear that threshold once again Sunday since he's not carrying a designation into the contest.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Listed as limited Thursday
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Pickens (shin) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
After being deemed a non-participant in Wednesday's session, Pickens' limited listing a day later has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals. If the wideout is able to upgrade to full participation Friday, he'll have a chance to head into the weekend minus a Week 12 injury designation.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Sits Wednesday with shin injury
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Pickens didn't practice Wednesday due to a shin injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
The injury is a new one for Pickens, who will still have two more opportunities to log some practice activity and put the shin concern behind him ahead of Sunday's road game against the Bengals. If the second-year wide receiver suits up, he'll be playing in a Pittsburgh offense directed by former running backs coach Eddie Faulkner after the team parted ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Tuesday.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Quiet versus Packers
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Pickens caught three of four targets for 45 yards in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Packers.
Pickens led Pittsburgh in all major receiving categories, which evidenced the team's struggles in the passing game Sunday, when quarterback Kenny Pickett managed just 126 yards. With 205 yards on the ground, however, the Steelers didn't need Pickens to have a big day to secure another close victory. The wideout will now turn his attention toward Week 11's meeting with the Browns, who he posted 127 yards and a touchdown against earlier this season.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Expect Pickens to play plenty of snaps and even see a couple of valuable targets in the red zone, but his days of seeing high volume figure to be few and far between. Tack on a matchup that should be decent for the other components of the Steelers offense and Pickens barely has flex appeal, even in a week with four good teams on bye. I'd rather start Courtland Sutton, Zay Flowers and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in PPR.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Disappointing results in primetime
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Pickens secured two of five targets for minus-one yard during the Steelers' 20-16 win over the Titans on Thursday.
Pickens topped 100 yards in the Steelers' matchups immediately before and after their Week 6 bye, but he's been held in check over two games since then. The 22-year-old nearly salvaged his fantasy results with a touchdown catch in the second half, but he failed to get both feet down in bounds upon further review. Pickens has been targeted at least five times in every appearance this season, but his output has been more inconsistent now that Diontae Johnson is back in action.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Finds end zone in defeat
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Pickens secured one of five targets for 22 yards and a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Although Diontae Johnson was targeted 14 times during Sunday's matchup, Pickens was the lone Steelers receiver to reach the end zone in the defeat. Despite his touchdown, Pickens logged season-low marks in targets, receptions and yards. The 2022 second-rounder has had the ability to provide a spark for Pittsburgh's lackluster offense this year, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him display some inconsistency now that Johnson is healthy.
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Steelers' George Pickens: WRs to Start
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I thought the return of Diontae Johnson from his hamstring injury in Week 7 at the Rams would be a problem for Pickens, but he had another standout game with five catches for 107 yards on eight targets. He's now scored at least 15.7 PPR points in three of his past five games, and he's having a sophomore breakout campaign. He should have the chance for another quality outing in Week 8 against the Jaguars, who have allowed nine receivers to score at least 12.7 PPR points this season. Start Pickens as a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Eclipses century mark in win
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Pickens secured five of eight targets for 107 yards in the Steelers' 24-17 win over the Rams on Sunday.
Pickens tied for the team lead in receptions and set the pace in receiving yards and targets in the upset road victory. The second-year wideout made several impressive grabs along the way, including a 31-yarder that served as the Steelers' second longest of the day and helped fuel Pittsburgh's second-half surge. Pickens has now cleared the 100-yard mark in consecutive games for the first time in his career, giving him plenty of momentum going into a Week 8 home matchup against the Jaguars.
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Steelers' George Pickens: WRs to Sit
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We'll see how Pickens does now that Diontae Johnson (hamstring) is expected to return in Week 7 against the Rams. Pickens has done well with Johnson out, scoring at least 11.5 PPR points in three of four games after Johnson was injured in Week 1. But Johnson, if healthy, should return as the target leader for the Steelers, and Pickens has averaged 8.3 targets per game in Johnson's absence. This is also a tough matchup in Week 7 against the Rams, who are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. The Rams have only allowed one touchdown to an opposing receiver all season. Pickens should only be started in three-receiver leagues in Week 7.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Catches game-winning touchdown
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Pickens recorded six receptions on 10 targets for 120 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Ravens.
Pickens beat Marlon Humphrey down the right sideline for a 41-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to record the game-winning score. He added three additional receptions of more than 20 yards to top the century mark for the second time this season. While Pickens' production has been inconsistent, he has at least seven targets in four of five games on the campaign. However, it's possible he will see his opportunities decline in Week 7 against the Rams after the team returns from a bye, as Diontae Johnson (hamstring) will be eligible to return from injured reserve.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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It appears like Kenny Pickett (knee) will play for the Steelers in Week 5 against the Ravens, but if he's out then Mitch Trubisky will also make Pickens a focal point. He's been a focal point for the past three games with Diontae Johnson (hamstring) out, and it's led to mixed results. Pickens scored 22.7 PPR points in Week 2 against Cleveland, but he's combined for 17.0 PPR points in the past two outings against the Raiders and Texans. He had a 71-yard touchdown catch against the Browns, but without that, Pickens has been somewhat underwhelming as a Fantasy option. The Ravens could be getting Marlon Humphrey (foot) back in Week 5 to help their secondary, but Baltimore has allowed just one receiver to score a touchdown this year, which was Tee Higgins in Week 2. I would only use Pickens in three-receiver leagues in Week 5.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Held to three grabs in loss
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Pickens caught three of seven targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Texans.
He led the Steelers in targets but did little with them, as the team's passing game struggled even before Kenny Pickett (knee) was sidelined. Pickens has been Pittsburgh's top wideout with Diontae Johnson (hamstring) on IR, but if Mitch Trubisky is forced to start at quarterback in Week 5 against the Ravens, there may not be much production to go around through the air.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Contrarian DFS Play
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I legitimately believe that Pickens is a borderline No. 1 wide receiver for as long as Diontae Johnson is out, and I'm not sure you can put the cat back in the bag at that point. The Texans secondary doesn't scare me, but I do worry a little bit that the Texans pass rush turns this into a run-heavy game for Pittsburgh. Still, I love Pickens' upside in GPPs.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Leads team in receiving Sunday
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Pickens hauled in four of his six targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 23-18 win over the Raiders.
Pickens was unable to recreate his highlight-reel score from last week's victory, but he still provided managers with a solid fantasy line while finishing as Pittsburgh's leading receiver Sunday. The 22-year-old should continue to see as many targets as he can handle while Diontae Johnson (hamstring) mends on injured reserve, making Pickens a strong play against Houston next Sunday.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Flex Starter (Lineup Decisions)
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Two things make Pickens a worthy flex starter: The expectation that Kenny Pickett won't get pressured a ton, and the likelihood that Pickens will lead Pittsburgh in targets. But on top of Pickens' flaws is the thought that the Steelers should be able to run the ball effectively this week as the Raiders have not been good against the run. If that's the case then Pickett may not have to throw a ton. So keep expectations mild for Pickens, who I would start over Tutu Atwell, Terry McLaurin and the Chiefs WRs.
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Steelers' George Pickens: WRs to Start
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In the first game without Diontae Johnson (hamstring) in Week 3 against Cleveland, Pickens was heavily involved from Kenny Pickett, which was fun to see. Pickett leaned on his second receiver with a career-high 10 targets, and Pickens responded with a career-best 127 receiving yards and a touchdown. He only had four catches, but I hope the double-digit targets become the norm for Pickens moving forward while Johnson is out. The Raiders have allowed three receivers to score at least 13.2 PPR points this season, with four touchdowns allowed, and I would start Pickens in all leagues in this matchup on the road.
