Last week, we watched two players, Jameson Williams and George Pickens, pop onto the scene for their respective teams in Week 1. Both played marvelously, which leads to the question of which player is the correct start for our fantasy football team in Week 2.
Both players can elevate your fantasy lineup in Week 2, but only one has the chance to truly break the slate and allow you to trounce your opponent. Which is the right player to start? Let’s dive deep into the stats to help you make the right decision.
Which WR Should You Choose From Jameson Williams and George Pickens in Week 2?
Even though Pickens has the alpha target share locked up, Williams has the better matchup for wide receivers this week. The Detroit Lions invite the Buccaneers into Ford Field to battle it out during Week 2. Goff has thrown 44 touchdowns in home games compared to just 17 on the road. With the Buccaneers’ defensive back room reeling from injuries, as fantasy football managers, we can take advantage with the speedy Williams.
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Williams is the player to start — his 10.5 fantasy points slightly beat Pickens’ 10.4 total fantasy points. Our rankings agree that you should lean into the Lions’ wide receiver to optimize your fantasy lineup for Week 2.
Williams’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
Williams finally had his coming-out party in Week 1 and helped Detroit win its first game of the season. He recorded 121 receiving yards, which was sixth most in the NFL. His 24.2 yards per reception were the fifth-highest total, according to TruMedia. Williams also saw the 16th most air yards per target among receivers and even recorded the 10th-longest reception with a 52-yard bomb against the Los Angeles Rams.
Jameson Williams loves run blocking pic.twitter.com/EqyCkkXlEn
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 10, 2024
The one thing that could elevate Williams’ game is running more routes. His 29 routes rank as the 56th most in the NFL. This is his kryptonite, as the Lions run their offense out of multiple personnel schemes, which can limit his chances within the offense.
Williams was drafted in the first round, but the Lions are so deep regarding talent that he may be the third-best option on a passing play within the offense. Until Williams shows this production level within the offense, we may always be cautious of the boom/bust label attached to his name.
Pickens’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
Pickens was not outdone by the Lions wide receiver, as he produced his own stellar stat line. Pickens received only seven targets but converted six into receptions while producing 85 receiving yards. He garnered more air yards per target, which allowed him to break the top 15 in that category.
The issue with Pickens is that he will have question marks around him with his quarterback. With Justin Fields under center, Pickens will have to deal with inaccurate passes and Fields’ mobility leading the way. In the face of the inaccuracy, Pickens’ 85.7% reception percentage is quite astounding. The Steelers only have a few options in their passing game, which benefits us in fantasy football.
Kyle Soppe’s Fantasy Outlook for Williams and Pickens
Javonte Williams: At the beginning of the preseason, Williams’ roster spot was being questioned. By the end of August, we were penciling him in for 18-20 touches.
Both were wrong.
Williams is still the best bet in Denver’s backfield, especially after the two primary threats to his work put the ball on the ground in Seattle. But a 52.2% snap share in an unappealing offense isn’t exactly a profile I’m going out of my way to play.
Jordan Mason and J.K. Dobbins were the primary breakouts at the position in Week 1, and while regression is a near certainty, I’d be happy to plug in both over Williams if given the opportunity.
George Pickens: There is a lot of talent bubbling beneath the surface for Pickens. The question is if the QB play can elevate him to a meaningful space for our purposes.
I’m not shedding light on anything new by saying that – it just is what it is.
Over the course of an entire NFL game in 2024 against a defense that ranked below average in opponent passer rating last season, Pickens was the only Steeler with a catch that gained more than 10 yards.
Think about that. The Patriots-Bengals game may have been the most boring from an offensive point of view last weekend, and six players in that game had a catch gaining more than 10 yards.
In theory, you’d think that Pickens is a better fit for a Wilson-led offense. From a deep ball perspective, that makes sense, but I’d give a Fields-led unit more scoring equity, so I’m not sure who is under center makes a big difference for Pickens.
The Broncos didn’t give up a 20-yard completion to any of the Seahawks’ receivers last week. Both WR1s in this game project as high-upside players that will have big weeks this year, but I’m not comfortable plugging either in this week over talented young players like Jameson Williams, Xavier Worthy, or Brian Thomas Jr.