Fantasy Football Player Notes

In four games with Mason Rudolph, George Pickens averaged a 24% target share, 44% air yards share, 14.6 fantasy points (backend fantasy WR1 numbers) and nearly 100 receiving yards per game. On the year, Pickens hauled in 63 receptions from 106 targets, accumulating 1,140 yards, which translated to a remarkable 18.1 yards per reception Weeks 1-18. Pickens closed out the season with 177.3 fantasy points, which gave him an impressive average of 10.3 points per game, ranking him 33rd among wide receivers in points per game. He finished with a 24% target share (6.5 targets per game) and 41% air yards share (13th in total air yards). Pickens offers a lot of upside if Pittsburgh can find the right guy under center. Russell Wilson offers much more upside than Kenny Pickett, given he is a threat to the throw the ball downfield (8th in deep ball rate in 2023). Pickens also will be true alpha in 2024, with Diontae Johnson traded to the Panthers. During the first 5 weeks of the 2023 season with DJ sidelined, Pickens was the WR13 in fantasy averaging 12.8 points per game (19th) with a 43% air yards share and 24% target share. Averaged nearly 80 receiving yards per game.

Roman Wilson's standout senior year at Michigan culminated in a 37% dominator rating, as he gathered 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns, marking it as the 6th-highest single-season dominator rating in the 2024 class. Despite concerns about his late breakout at 22 and only one significant year of production, Wilson's draft stock rose after impressing at the Senior Bowl and running a sub-4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has drawn comparisons to Tyler Lockett, reflecting his ability as a deep threat-53% of his routes were downfield. However, his fantasy outlook is tempered by joining a Pittsburgh Steelers offense, which is expected to lean heavily on the run under new OC Arthur Smith, coupled with their recent investments in the offensive line, casting some doubt on the volume of passing opportunities Wilson will receive.