The 2023 NFL season is flying by our eyes. We have six weeks in the books and 12 more to go. Six teams are on a bye in Week 7, leaving fantasy football players without several critical starters. Unfortunately, that makes setting your lineup a nightmare.
This week, fantasy players could have a difficult decision between Christian Watson and George Pickens. Both wide receivers are on struggling offenses led by young quarterbacks. Yet, both have flashed fantasy upside this season. So, which one should you start in Week 7?
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Christian Watson’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Unfortunately, Watson missed the first three games this year with a hamstring injury. He made his season debut in Week 4, totaling two receptions on four targets for 25 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions, scoring 9.5 half-PPR fantasy points.
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The second-year receiver had a better performance the following week. Despite Jordan Love’s struggles against the Las Vegas Raiders, the star wide receiver had three receptions on seven targets for 91 receiving yards and 10.1 fantasy points in the loss.
Meanwhile, the Packers face the Denver Broncos in Week 7. Denver has surrendered 29 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the 16th-most in the NFL. However, they have struggled outside of the matchup against the New York Jets, giving up 1.4 receiving touchdowns and 32.8 fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
George Pickens’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
Pickens has been the team’s No. 1 wide receiver since Diontae Johnson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1. The second-year player is the WR22 for the year, averaging 12.8 half-PPR fantasy points. Furthermore, he leads the Pittsburgh Steelers in receptions (22), targets (40), receiving yards (393), and touchdowns (two) this season.
However, Pickens hasn’t been a reliable fantasy option. While he has averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game without Johnson, the second-year player has scored under 9.6 in half the contests. Meanwhile, the former Georgia star had 20 or more in the other two, including a season-high 23.6 fantasy points in the Steelers’ last game in Week 5.
After having their bye last week, Pittsburgh takes on the Rams on Sunday. Los Angeles has held wide receivers to only 21.4 fantasy points per game this year, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. They haven’t surrendered a touchdown to wide receivers since Week 1. Furthermore, WRs have had fewer than 18.3 fantasy points against the Rams in three consecutive games.
Which Wide Receiver Should You Start?
According to the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, Watson is the player to start. He is projected to score 10.4 half-PPR fantasy points. His projections include 3.1 receptions for 44.7 receiving yards and 0.5 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Pickens’ projections are 9.4 fantasy points, 3.6 receptions, 55.4 receiving yards, and 0.3 touchdowns this week.
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I agree with the Start/Sit Optimizer. Watson has the more fantasy-friendly matchup against a Denver defense that has struggled all year. Furthermore, he is the top receiving threat on the Packers. Watson also led the team in targets in their last game (seven).
Meanwhile, Johnson will return after missing the past four games with a hamstring injury. Pickens has averaged 8.3 targets per game without the veteran, totaling double digits in two contests. However, he has averaged only 5.1 targets and 8.1 fantasy points per game with Johnson playing in his career.