You know, the more we think about, maybe New Coke didn’t get a fair shake.
Those of you old enough will remember New Coke. For you kids out there, in the mid-1980s Coca-Cola introduced a new formula, designed to replace traditional Coke.
Only, it didn’t go so well. Nobody liked it. Sales plummeted, and the company brought back the original, rebranded as Coca-Cola Classic. New Coke faded away and was largely forgotten by consumers not long after its introduction.
If Coke drinkers had given it a chance, maybe it could have a George Pickens-like revival.
The wide receiver entered the league in 2022 and many, particularly fantasy managers, were eager to see what the Georgia product could do with his size and speed — plus, All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson compared him to DeAndre Hopkins.
Only, he landed with the Steelers in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Who was going to throw him the ball? Kenny Pickett? Mitchell Trubisky? So despite his prototype specs, when he got off to a just-OK start, many fantasy managers were quick to bail.
As a rookie, his best PPR fantasy week was WR11, and he had nine weeks of WR40 or worse. You just couldn’t play him with any confidence.
So when he made gains in production from Year 1 to Year 2, it wasn’t enough. Fantasy managers still had a bad taste in their mouths. He did have two top-10 weeks during the fantasy playoffs, but likely you didn’t make the playoffs if you were relying on him.
So when this season rolled around and he again started slow, this time with Justin Fields at QB, it was easy for fantasy managers too push him to the back of the cooler to gather dust next to any leftover cans of New Coke.
In came Russell Wilson. If Pickens was New Coke, Wilson was Crystal Pepsi — an even bigger bust the past couple of years.
But something funny happened when the two came together. Like a crackling soda over ice, the pair created a fantasy fountain — particularly in their first game together in Week 7.
Against a good Jets pass defense, Pickens caught five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown — good for 22.1 in PPR — second-best among WRs. That is a nice debut with Wilson. He followed up with 4-for-74 but no score.
Here’s another thing: His yards per catch in two games with Wilson is 20.4, compared to 13.8 with Fields. And his per-game catches ticked up slightly — from 4.3 to 4.5. So he is catching more balls and those catches are going for more yards.
So far, that new Steelers passing formula is working a lot better than New Coke. And this week, they get to face rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
Washington has scored the second-most points in the NFL. That doesn’t mean they’ll light up a good Steelers defense, and we have seen Daniels & Co. turn in a dud before (Bears two weeks ago).
Nevertheless, a team capable of putting up big points provides a better opportunity for its opponent to try to score with it, and more scoring means more fantasy points up for grabs.
We would start Pickens ahead of guys like a gimpy CeeDee Lamb (with Cooper Rush at QB), or potentially limited Drake London (hip), or Davante Adams, Darnell Mooney, Marvin Harrison Jr. and others.
So if you have been punishing Pickens with bench time after his poor start, stop treating him like New Coke. This guy still has some fantasy fizz.
Big weeks
Daniel Jones QB, Giants, vs. Panthers (FanDuel $7,200/DraftKing N/A)
The good news is, he should be a great DFS bargain this week. Problem is, the game isn’t on the main slates. He can also work as a bye-week filler in seasonal leagues.
DJ Moore WR, Bears, vs. Patriots (FD $6,500/DK $6,300)
Had an embarrassingly lazy play last week. Had all the wrong things to say during the week. But we smell a squeaky-wheel scenario here. Expect the Bears to try to placate Moore with extra targets, at least this week.
Jameson Williams WR, Lions, at Texans (FD $6,300/DK $5,900)
After a two-game ban, expect Detroit to feed their big-play target. All it takes is one long grab for Williams to have a strong fantasy day, and he is good at those.
DeAndre Hopkins WR, Chiefs, vs. Broncos (FD $6,000/DK $5,300)
Perhaps we should stop being surprised when the Chiefs resurrect the fantasy relevance of otherwise dormant players. If he is going to get nine targets, like he did last week, he is going to be a league-winner. Don’t even sweat the tough matchup.
Small weaks
Drake Maye QB, Patriots, at Bears (FD $6,800/DK $5,800)
We’re buying a productive future for Maye more than we were when he first entered the league. But put that progress on hold for a week. The Bears are tough on opposing fantasy QBs — the toughest in the league.
Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Cardinals, vs. Jets (FD $6,800/DK $6,400)
The Jets have been largely disappointing this season, but you can’t tell by their defensive performance against opposing WRs. They are giving up 6.6 fewer fantasy points per week to QBs than the league average — the least in the NFL.
Evan Engram TE, Jaguars, vs. Viking (FD $6,200/DK $5,300)
The Jags and QB Trevor Lawrence have been massively disappointing. But if he can’t go and they have to resort to Mac Jones, as expected, then even Engram, the one Jag who is a lineup lock, can get comfy on your bench.
T.J. Hockenson TE, Vikings, at Jaguars (FD $6,500/DK $4,700)
You made it until Week 9 without him. It might take a few games to work himself into QB Sam Darnold’s comfort zone. Don’t get burned multiple weeks while that happens. Leave T.J. on your bench until you get burned once, then use him thereafter.
Betting on the NFL?
Insanity’s Daily Duel
Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:
Site: DraftKings
Slate: Sun. main (10 games)
Type: $20 tourney
Top prize: $1M
Pot: $2.75M
Drew’s Crew
QB: Bock Purdy
SF (at TB) $6,500
RB: Saquon Barkley
Phi (at Dal) $8,300
RB: Aaron Jones
Min (at Jac) $6,700
WR: George Pickens
Pit (at was) $6,800
WR: DeAndre Hopkins
KC (vs. Den) $5,300
WR: Ricky Pearsall
SF (at TB) $4,400
TE: Hunter Henry
NE (at Chi) $3,900
Flex: Alec Pierce
Ind (vs. Buf) $4,900
DST: Broncos
Den (at KC) $2,400
Wilk’s Warriors
QB: Sam Darnold
Min (at Jac) $6,200
RB: James Cook
Buf (at Ind) $7,000
RB: D’Andre Swift
Chi (vs. NE) $6,500
WR: Justin Jefferson
Min (at Jac) $8,800
WR: Darnell Mooney
Atl (at NO) $6,500
WR: Rome Odunze
Chi (vs. NE) $5,200
TE: Chig Okonkwo
Ten (at LAC) $3,000
Flex: Ricky Pearsall
SF (at TB) $4,400
DST: Broncos
Den (at KC) $2,400
Late roster changes, check @NYPost_Loftis on X and @nypfantasymadman on Threads
Season risked: $140
Season’s winnings: Drew $180, Jarad $113.50
