Fantasy football is difficult to predict. But after being traded to the Dallas Cowboys last offseason, it was easy to see the change of scenery would be good for WR George Pickens. Still, we didn’t think that would mean Pickens would finish as a top-five fantasy wideout in 2025.
As we look ahead to 2026, there will be plenty of talk of regression surrounding the Cowboys star. Or, will Pickens build on his strong campaign last season and provide even more fantasy value for managers?
Advertisement
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
Matt Harmon and Justin Boone talk Pickens’ fantasy value on the latest episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast.
Harmon touted Pickens as the one player he wouldn’t leave a 2025 draft without going into last season. And while Harmon takes a quick victory lap on the Pickens call, there are some things to consider when looking back at his monster season. Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb missed a handful of games due to injury, though Pickens was good regardless.
The 25-year-old posted nearly 1,500 receiving yards on 93 catches with nine touchdowns to finish as the fantasy WR4 overall in half-PPR scoring. Even when Lamb was healthy and getting a bigger target share, it was Pickens who was producing.
Advertisement
Boone piggybacks with Pickens being the top fantasy WR in the four games that Lamb missed last season. Looking back, it all made sense to target Pickens, going from Pittsburgh to a better offense in Dallas — a scheme that was going to throw the ball more with a quality QB in Dak Prescott.
Play 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world’s biggest soccer tournament
But this year, Boone doesn’t feel the same way. He’s worried going into 2026 because of the contract issue with Pickens not showing up to OTAs. With that in the way, it could be difficult for Pickens to live up to his hype given his early ADP for 2026, which has him going as the WR9 around the late second round in 12-team drafts, per Yahoo.
For Harmon, Pickens isn’t going to be a full fade but you’re “paying the iron price,” to quote “Game of Thrones” there. Harmon likes Cowboys depth receiver Ryan Flournoy as a sleeper in the event that something happens with Pickens or if Lamb misses time again.
Yahoo ADP and Boone align on Pickens, as the analyst has him as the WR9 in his updated June wide receiver fantasy football rankings for 2026.