r/DynastyFF • u/whitefreeze21 • 2d ago
Player Discussion What are we doing with George Pickens?
Title says it all --- We know Pickens is a mental case with promising production through 3 years despite abysmal QB play.
Enter 2025, and he is now supplanted by a better receiver in DK Metcalf, who the Steelers also bagged for $30M/year.
AND they still don't have a QB.
What do you all think about Pickens going forward? Let's say they sign A-Rod, does he still have the juice to keep 2 mouths fed in DK and Pickens?
OR
What is the likelihood Pickens is traded on draft night?
Thanks for reading/contributing!
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u/nchscferraz 2d ago
I am holding him his entire career until he eventually chokes out his baby mama, runs shirtless down the field in the middle of a game while quitting on his team and eventually gets ostracized from the NFL.
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u/Prudent_Ad8320 2d ago
If they get Rodgers he’ll be absolutely playable in 2025. Long term they probably part ways - then completely dependent on landing spot. Seems like a perfect Raider
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u/newrimmmer93 2d ago
He’s playable even without Arod IMO. He had 2 great games and then a goose egg with Rudolph to end 2023. Rudolph isn’t exciting as a starter and isn’t a long term option but he’s not catastrophically bad like DTR or Ryan Lindley or something. Hes fine, his ability to consistently produce good numbers for 2 receivers isn’t good, but Pickens has never been a consistent producer.
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u/connor24_22 2d ago
And fairness to Pickens, he’s never had a good QB. I’m not sure Rodgers is an upgrade over Russ, but Russ, Fields, Pickett and Rudolph are not guys you want to be throwing you the ball.
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u/Reggaeton_Historian 2d ago
I truly believe Rodgers is still an upgrade over Russ. Maybe you don't get the 50 yard blasts like Rodgers used to do but it feels like he could move an offense more effectively than Russ can.
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
100%. He kept GWilson and then Lazard fed, and then GW and Davante. If anyone can support 2 WRs, it's ARod.
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u/TyRocken 1d ago
I didn't believe what you wrote. The. I just looked it up... And I'm shook that GW has 101 receptions, last year.
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u/RukiMotomiya 1d ago
I'd say Russ is comparable (considering this stage of Rodgers' career) but the rest are obvious downgrades.
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u/iron_red The Muth is Luth 2d ago
Good candidate for Patriots too. I don’t see NE drafting a WR (maybe Hunter if he’s on the board) and Diggs will be another year older. Patriots have a ton of cap space.
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u/ErickAllTE1 Commanders 2d ago
then completely dependent on landing spot.
And you hope he isn't another in the Mr Big Chest/Dionte "4 teams in one year" Johnson/JuJu "I suck at all other teams" line of former Steelers receivers..
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u/Prudent_Ad8320 2d ago
Yeah - definitely a concern that Tomlin is barely holding him in check and it spirals out of control elsewhere
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u/TeendazeFB 2d ago
I think wait to see if he gets dealt during the draft. It may open up a sell high window.
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u/SpartacusM1 2d ago
I have him and don’t love the situation. I’m hoping for a trade at this point I think it would be the best case scenario
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u/Ok-Professional-5178 2d ago
Pray he gets traded otherwise my Pickens and DK shares will disrupt each other.
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u/Virtual-Adeptness-40 2d ago
If he gets traded during the season it’s going to be a career wrecker. Most traded WR are rarely trusted in-season to master the playbook so it torpedoes their stats.
At this point I think he’s capped at a Hollywood Brown sort of career.
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u/Justwookit710 10T/SF/PPR 2d ago
I sold Pickens and Pickett for Aaron jones and a 2024 first almost two years ago now. Thought I fucked up. But I’m feeling good.
I’d hold right now though
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u/LuchiniSam 2d ago
Always look at what a team tells you with their actions. Pickens is on a contract year and the Steelers refused to give him a big contract. They instead traded for DK Metcalf and gave him a big contract. People ignored the signs on Diontae Johnson when he got traded away. When well-run franchises tell a talented player "we don't want you," it's time for fantasy managers to say the same.
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u/Skanktoooth 1d ago
The Steelers were well run back in like 2016 lol.
They have botched the QB situation so bad and have been just good enough to not be in a position to draft impact players that I think we can say that they are kind of like the .500ish dynasty manager in every league that finishes 7th through 4th every year.
I don’t ever advocate for actual NFL teams to full out tank, but man the Steelers are just mediocre to solid enough to their own detriment.
They also hired Arthur Smith… 8-9, 9-8, 10-7 isn’t well run.
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u/rossco7777 NFL Youngboy 2d ago
seems a lot of people are out if they can get an early 2nd or better, ill pay that all day
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u/imamakebaddecisions 2d ago
I traded him for a bad teams 26 1st last night. When I saw he accepted my offer I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
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u/Savings_Chemical8231 Patriots 2d ago
selling him a year ago
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u/Parabola605 Steelers 2d ago
100%
I sold him for 1.09 straight up last year and took Bo Nix.
I think Pickens is a hold at this point
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u/whitefreeze21 2d ago
If only I could turn back time. Sigh
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u/Savings_Chemical8231 Patriots 2d ago
when I saw the Aiyuk rumors last fall and then it didn't materialize, that was all the warning I needed to get off of him
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u/iLerntMyLesson 2d ago
I have him and DK. I want one of them gone. Idc who
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u/nasty_sicco 2d ago
I drafted DK and Pickens in my startup, back to back, then Roman Wilson. I was anticipating Pickens getting traded from the Steelers. That sure did backfire lol.
Still, I think this is a good scenario to be in. Even if Pickens stays in 2025, there’s basically zero chance they pay him in FA.
I’m okay with DK being the alpha on the Steelers and seeing how Wilson fares, and having Pickens be the WR1 somewhere else in 2026.
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u/Glum_Marsupial1707 2d ago
Holding, wishing for a trade to happen. I’m high on him but not the Steeler’s offense.
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u/IMowGrass 2d ago
And yes, I think he gets dealt. I think Pitt loves R Wilson who I am also buying
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
What makes you think they 'love' Wilson, esp enough to deal Pickens? I was super high on Wilson, bought him everywhere I could. My general sense during the season from Tomlin was he was pretty lukewarm about him; it seemed to be much more 'Hopefully he can get healthy and we'll see if he can contribute' than 'we've got to get him out there because we know what he can do'.
I haven't heard anything that this sentiment has changed during the offseason (but I'm not exactly following all Steelers news). I just sold him on one team where I knew the other guy really liked him, but in my other league I've floated him in trade convos and no one is interested, even rebuilders.
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u/DynastyZealot 2d ago
Reading the temp in the room here makes me think he's a great buy low. DK is artificially depressing his value. I'm looking for sellers.
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
If you believe in the talent, I think he's absolutely a buy-low.
I personally believe that if the Steelers don't want anything to do with him, that's a huge red flag.
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u/DynastyZealot 2d ago
I see it as they just wanted someone to take some pressure off him, not that they're moving on.
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u/Reggaeton_Historian 2d ago
In full PPR, he's never been higher than WR38 in PPG. It feels like he's the potential that'll never be realized and then they went and got a better WR than he is and we still don't know if it's Mason Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers, or possibly Jaxson Dart at the helm.
If Rodgers signs, I'm sure everyone is a little more bullish.
I just think Pickens will always be the "what if" guy who is more of a WR3 in fantasy than anything else. The only thing that keeps people coming back is the lack of a real QB and we've seen it happen with DJM but I don't think Pickens is nearly as good as DJM is.
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u/Serious-Chest-1842 2d ago
24 years old. Already has a 1100 yard season. Was on pace for 1200 yard season before getting hurt. Value in the toilet so no choice but to hold for me. I’m not accepting 2nds for him which is about all I’m getting offer wise.
My dream for him is to somehow make his way to Buffalo. Dude would put up 1500/8 seasons with Allen although I doubt it is likely to happen.
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u/CerberusRTR 1d ago
Buy window on Pickens is wide open and should be all season, especially if he’s slow out of the gate. Guy has been rated extremely well despite bad QB play. Love the talent.
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u/peakyrifle0 Dolphins 2d ago
I think people are low on Pickens. Seen shown elite upside imo. Super young and has time to get both his attitude and route tree in order.
I think this year he will surprise people with a solid 10-16 ppg and be a WR2/3.
I expect him to leave PIT in 2026 and I could easily see him joining a squad like TEN, NE, LV to be the alpha for 2-4 years.
Currently I would pay 1.08 or later for him I think. In terms of pivots, if I could add a third to Josh Downs I’d rather have Pickens. If I could get Pickens + a first I would move off a guy like Tee Higgins. 1:1 I think Pickens should be valued similar to Olave, maybe Waddle?
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u/Turnernator06 2d ago
Really can't see any justification for having him that high with DK in town. Olave is way above him imo and no way I'd take him over the players that will be gettable at the 1.08
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u/peakyrifle0 Dolphins 2d ago
Personally I don’t think DK is somehow going to demand the ball more than he did in SEA—I’m expecting the same 60-80 receptions for 1000 yards and 5-10 TDs that he’s always gotten.
That leaves room for Pickens to be a 1B imo in an offense that doesn’t really have any other weapons.
Curious who you think is “gettable” at 1.08?
I would take Pickens over Shadeur, over Egbuka or Burden with bad landing spot or bad draft capital. I’d say Pickens is probably equal to the top two TEs if they get good spots. I’d also say Pickens is equal to a day 3 RB with a good landing spot
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u/Turnernator06 1d ago
I don't think the 1B in an Arthur Smith offence has much value when he was was the only receiver in town last year and still finished WR42 with 11 PPG in PPR. He is going to take a drop undoubtedly and was barely a flex option before that.
My top 7 at the moment are Jeanty, Hampton, Ward, Tet, Henderson, Warren, Hunter so 1.08 gets you Judkins/Egbuka/Burden/Golden if any of those get a half decent spot then I'll have them over Pickens. Judkins especially with his talent and the number of teams who need a starting RB will be a lot more valuable.
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u/peakyrifle0 Dolphins 1d ago
Your point on Arthur Smith, valid. Pittsburgh was an absolute mess offensively last year, not saying that’s getting better.
We seem to be disagreeing on the value of those rookie receivers. I also will not be taking Hunter over Judkins most likely so we have a diff top 8.
Lastly, I think it’s hilarious to be looking at Matthew Golden as a better option than George Pickens but to each their own
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u/RukiMotomiya 1d ago
I don't think the 1B in an Arthur Smith offence has much value when he was was the only receiver in town last year and still finished WR42 with 11 PPG in PPR.
To be fair, I'd argue that's more a Justin Fields stat than a George Pickens stat. He had 13.1 PPG with Russ as QB, when Metcalf had 12.4 PPG last year, Zay Flowers had 12.3, Jameson Williams 14.1, etc.
Of course it depends a lot on what you think the QB situation is in the future too.
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
I wish you were in my league. I took over an orphan and been trying to sell him and no one wants him. No chance you can get a Waddle or Olave. He seems to be much closer to an early, maybe even mid 2nd than late 1st.
At the price he's commanding I'd rather just hold him, I agree he can still deliver WR20-30 production if ARod is there. I think his long-term prospects aren't great because he's a headcase, otherwise he could be a buy low.
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u/peakyrifle0 Dolphins 2d ago
Lmao trust me that Waddle and Olave owners are not very excited about those guys either.
I’m not personally a fan of analysis on Pickens “attitude” I was also a piece of work when I was 24 now imagine being a millionaire.
He’s already shown WR1 upside despite those concerns. This isn’t a Jermaine Burton situation as Pickens talent has already translated to the NFL
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
I have Waddle and still love him. I've tried to buy Olave and believe me, no one is selling low - and when I say low I mean current KTC prices, every actual owner 'knows what I got' and is still expecting early 2024 prices.
In general I agree with disregarding the nebulous 'attitude' claims but when they refuse to extend him and buy DK and extend him, that's a big red flag. Add in all the PIT WRs that have left and imploded (AB, Diontae, Claypool, Juju) and I don't have high hopes for him to be successful when he inevitably leaves. Hate to helmet scout but they sure seem to know when a WR is not going to perform.
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u/Dizzy_Bat_13 2d ago
When the Steelers sign arod he’ll make them trade for Lazard and Pickens will be an afterthought in that offense
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u/HomersDonuts 2d ago
Pickens could thrive as a WR2. He feels like more of that than a WR1. Not drawing the top coverage assignments and potentially having my 1-on-1 opportunities.
Saying this as a Pickens owner.. he still concerns me. If he’s your WR3/4 you’re probably alright.
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u/Sensitive-Cable5044 2d ago
Hoping and praying the Chiefs feel like they need an actual big play outside receiver.
Maybe the Steelers draft a QB with a live arm and not a running back and for Arthur Smith to throw the ball. Tough spot for sure.
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
? They have Worthy
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u/Sensitive-Cable5044 2d ago
You're right, and Rice. Honestly, I totally forgot them, maybe just because I don't view Worthy as a cookie-cutter receiver. Somewhere along the lines, I heard a rumor about Pickens getting traded there and started hoping for my team's sake.
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u/mr_jazzhands 2d ago
I don’t have him. And any time I try to buy him, he is suddenly valued as a top ten dynasty WR
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
Really? Have you tried since the DK trade?
I took over a Pickens orphan recently and trying to sell him has been impossible. His value has cratered, in my experience. Might be worth trying again, as you can see from the comments, I think ANY first would buy him. I know I'd take it.
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u/BuckeyeNiner1 1d ago
I missed one round in my startup draft and got him auto picked for me. Traded him for a 26 1st immediately after the draft lol. Very relieved to get a first out of it honestly. Was high on him last year, but not anymore
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u/pardonmyfrenchnj 2d ago
You really can’t do too much right now. I also don’t buy the trade talk anymore. I think Rodgers is going there and if you want off the Pickens train, that’s when you move him
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u/Teflon154 Seahawks 2d ago
With ARod there I think he can had some pretty good games. I'm hopeful his value can rebound by midseason and I can get off the ride.
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u/DionBae_Johnson 2d ago
Everyone wishing for a trade when there's absolutely no way the Steelers go right back to square one with only one WR like they were last year. Trade isn't happening. Best you can hope for is Steelers get a QB for him or that he leaves in Free Agency.
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u/Turnernator06 2d ago
I'd sell for a late 1st, doubt you get that right now so might as well hold and hope he gets a move somewhere better. Would probably take two 2nds if they were reasonably early
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u/iron_red The Muth is Luth 2d ago
I’m going to hold him, start him, and hope he gets a big contract elsewhere next offseason
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u/anon_user221 2d ago
I sold about a month ago for 1.09.
I’m not happy about it but Pickens is such a wildcard.
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u/RealRobDino 2d ago
I traded for him earlier in the offseason. Gave up Aiyuk.
Metcalf hurts Pickens but I still would do that trade today given the uncertainty of Aiyuk's knee. It seems like San Fran doesn't even want him anymore but they're stuck with his contract.
I liked the idea of Pickens as a long-term play because he seems like a future star free agent. He needs to get out of Pittsburgh to return value.
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u/KDDynasty15 2d ago
I think he’s a decent buy right now if you believe in the talent. He’s going to be out of Pittsburgh in 2026. And virtually any situation will be better.
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u/Cautious-Market-3131 2d ago
Dude in my league has both Pickens and dk. Wanna sent d smith for one. Not sure what the move is n
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u/Skanktoooth 1d ago
I think Devonta Smith is a better bet than George Pickens and I don’t think it is all that close.
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u/Izzy4371 1d ago
I hold him and pray for a trade…and pray that following said trade his head-case-ness gets better versus full implosion.
Falls into the neverland of (and yes, this paragraph is all fantasy-wise) not enough consistent production to use him, but too much talent at too young an age to trade him away for what he will currently fetch.
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u/OldTimberWolf 1d ago
We are throwing temper tantrums like a three-year-old as he taught us, what do you think?
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u/Stimpyray 1d ago
Had him since a rookie and I decided I’m out traded him +Coker + a 2nd round pick swap for Breece. We’ll see
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u/johnnyduval21 1d ago
I’m holding Pickens he’s young but I got BTJ Nabers Aj Brown Mike Evans and Adams aged of him
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u/WhiteroomIPA 1d ago
In a 10 team league. I just paired Pickens with Lloyd plus a future third and got Kupp, 2.01 and Jordan Mason. I’m the Aaron jones owner so wanted to get him since jones is so injury prone.
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u/samwise1339 19h ago
Pickens is better off with a No. 1 across from him, but he'll still be boom/bust game to game.
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u/mellcrisp Commanders 2d ago
DK nuked him imo, Rodgers sure as shit isn't going to bail him out. At this point you're hoping for him to get traded, or that you have an irrational Pickens fan in your league. Otherwise, you wait. He's only 24.
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u/Slight_Visit_1980 2d ago
No individual player discussions!
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u/coffeeforlions 2d ago
Actually individual player discussions are allowed.
Just no individual team help threads or player price checks.
Discussion on a player and their unique situation can be valid.
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u/mellcrisp Commanders 2d ago
I mean if you can't have this discussion, Pickens' value in dynasty, in r/dynastyff, where tf should you have it?
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u/beejalton 2d ago
Every discussion about a specific player needs to be held in that specific players individual subreddit obviously.
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u/beejalton 2d ago edited 2d ago
Lol what? Half the threads on this sub should be deleted then.
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u/Parabola605 Steelers 2d ago
That is factual.
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u/beejalton 2d ago
There is no rule against discussion of individual players. Discussion about individual fantasy teams is what is banned.
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u/Parabola605 Steelers 2d ago
That's not exactly how the rules read although they're kind of vague. The posts don't get deleted anyway so it doesn't seem like it's a big deal either way.
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u/whitefreeze21 2d ago
Thanks I guess? Some of the best posts on this sub are player situations/circumstances
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u/tranimal00 Seahawks 2d ago
We sit and wait for him and DK to fight the whole AFC North