Malik Nabers vs George Pickens
2026 draft comparison · half-PPR
Updated Aug 10, 2026
Should you draft Malik Nabers or George Pickens?
Last season — 2025, per game
Full game log & past seasons
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | WAS | 9.6 | WR28 | 12 | 5 | 71 | 0 |
2 | DAL | 33.2 | WR2 | 13 | 9 | 167 | 2 |
3 | KC | 2.3 | WR88 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
4 | LAC | 3.0 | WR77 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 |
Earlier seasons (2024)
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MIN | 9.1 | WR32 | 7 | 5 | 66 | 0 |
2 | WAS | 23.7 | WR3 | 18 | 10 | 127 | 1 |
3 | CLE | 24.2 | WR3 | 12 | 8 | 78 | 2 |
4 | DAL | 17.1 | WR12 | 15 | 12 | 115 | 0 |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | PHI | 6.1 | WR43 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 0 |
8 | PIT | 10.6 | WR38 | 13 | 7 | 71 | 0 |
9 | WAS | 10.4 | WR29 | 11 | 9 | 59 | 0 |
10 | CAR | 7.8 | WR30 | 10 | 6 | 50 | 0 |
11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
12 | TB | 9.4 | WR26 | 9 | 6 | 64 | 0 |
13 | DAL | 11.3 | WR28 | 13 | 8 | 69 | 0 |
14 | NO | 12.4 | WR25 | 10 | 5 | 79 | 0 |
15 | BAL | 19.2 | WR10 | 14 | 10 | 82 | 1 |
16 | ATL | 10.3 | WR32 | 14 | 7 | 68 | 0 |
17 | IND | 32.6 | WR2 | 8 | 7 | 171 | 2 |
18 | PHI | 14.9 | WR15 | 8 | 5 | 64 | 1 |
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | PHI | 4.5 | WR62 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 0 |
2 | NYG | 15.3 | WR15 | 9 | 5 | 68 | 1 |
3 | CHI | 15.3 | WR16 | 9 | 5 | 68 | 1 |
4 | GB | 29.4 | WR2 | 11 | 8 | 134 | 2 |
5 | NYJ | 12.7 | WR19 | 4 | 2 | 57 | 1 |
6 | CAR | 27.3 | WR1 | 11 | 9 | 168 | 1 |
7 | WAS | 10.2 | WR28 | 6 | 4 | 82 | 0 |
8 | DEN | 11.3 | WR23 | 9 | 7 | 78 | 0 |
9 | ARI | 10.9 | WR29 | 9 | 6 | 79 | 0 |
10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
11 | LV | 24.9 | WR3 | 11 | 9 | 144 | 1 |
12 | PHI | 25.1 | WR4 | 9 | 9 | 146 | 1 |
13 | KC | 13.8 | WR17 | 13 | 6 | 88 | 0 |
14 | DET | 6.2 | WR40 | 9 | 5 | 37 | 0 |
15 | MIN | 4.8 | WR61 | 6 | 3 | 33 | 0 |
16 | LAC | 22.5 | WR5 | 9 | 7 | 130 | 1 |
17 | WAS | 9.8 | WR30 | 5 | 4 | 78 | 0 |
18 | NYG | 1.4 | WR88 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
Earlier seasons (2024)
| WK | OPP | FPTS | RANK | TGT | REC | YD | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ATL | 10.5 | WR26 | 7 | 6 | 85 | 0 |
2 | DEN | 3.9 | WR63 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 0 |
3 | LAC | 8.2 | WR45 | 7 | 5 | 57 | 0 |
4 | IND | 12.8 | WR25 | 11 | 7 | 113 | 0 |
5 | DAL | 4.1 | WR64 | 7 | 3 | 26 | 0 |
6 | LV | 6.8 | WR47 | 8 | 3 | 53 | 0 |
7 | NYJ | 19.6 | WR3 | 9 | 5 | 111 | 1 |
8 | NYG | 9.4 | WR44 | 5 | 4 | 74 | 0 |
9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
10 | WAS | 18.0 | WR5 | 7 | 5 | 91 | 1 |
11 | BAL | 12.9 | WR24 | 12 | 8 | 89 | 0 |
12 | CLE | 6.8 | WR47 | 7 | 4 | 48 | 0 |
13 | CIN | 14.9 | WR19 | 6 | 3 | 74 | 1 |
14 | BYE | — | — | — | — | — | — |
15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
17 | KC | 6.5 | WR54 | 7 | 3 | 50 | 0 |
18 | CIN | 0.5 | WR109 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Latest takes
“There is plenty of uncertainty around Nabers and whether or not he will be his usual explosive self to start the season, but getting a WR of this caliber in the third round is the type of pick that can really make a difference down the stretch of the season if he is back to 100%.”
Kurt Mullen· Aug 7“I’m going to piggyback on my running back health statement above and avoid Malik Nabers at receiver.”
FantasyPros Staff· Aug 7“Only SEC WR besides Malik Nabers with 30+ missed tackles forced on receptions in a season over the past 5 years”
The FF Newsletter· Aug 6
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“This should lock him into the second option behind Malik Nabers”
Ellis Johnson· Aug 6“Add in the fact that Malik Nabers is recovering from a significant knee injury, and you can see why Dart is a pass.”
Frank Ammirante· Jul 27“Malik Nabers (WR – NYG): Down 4 spots to No. 44 A slow, steady bleed that’s now the longest-running faller trend over the last few weeks. Nabers has slipped roughly 14 spots since we first flagged him in late June for missing mandatory minicamp during a lengthy ACL and meniscus rehab.”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 24“Malik Nabers, CeeDee Lamb, and Justin Jefferson all have similar LTV scores in the same range as Love’s.”
Jonathan Lange· Jul 21“This dip will only increase when Malik Nabers heads to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the start of training camp. Latest reports suggest it could be Week 5 or 6 before Nabers is back to full health.”
Tom Strachan· Jul 20“Nabers could miss the start of the year and might not be 100% until 2027, making him a massive risk to draft as a top-12 wide receiver.”
Mike Fanelli· Jul 20“The Giants know what they have in a healthy Nabers, and they know what they have in his absence. If available, he'll be a main focus and favorite target for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, and if he's not, then he won't.”
Ely Allen· Jul 13“Malik Nabers and Tucker Kraft finish outside WR50 and TE20, respectively. Nabers is still way too expensive at WR 17, but he's coming off reconstructive knee surgery, and even Nabers admitted to ESPN's Adam Schefter that week one sounds "a little ambitious."”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 2“Is Malik Nabers worth your entire FAAB budget in a chopped league? Unfortunately, Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending injury just four days after this post.”
Colt Williams· Jul 1“Malik Nabers is targeting a Week 1 return after undergoing a cleanup procedure on the knee he previously had surgery on for a torn ACL and a full meniscus repair.”
Josh Shepardson· Jul 1“After an electric rookie season, Nabers' sophomore season was cut short with a severe ACL tear. Although Nabers should be close to fully back, he has had some setbacks and a cleanup procedure this offseason.”
Ellis Johnson· Jun 29“The Giants don't project to pass a lot this season under Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Giants also added several pieces around Nabers, including tight end Isaiah Likely to one of the biggest contracts in history for a tight end, along with veteran receivers Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin.”
Michael Moore· Jun 24
“The Cowboys made no meaningful additions at RB this offseason and are running it back with Dak Prescott , CeeDee Lamb , and George Pickens .”
Jordan Pullett· Jul 29“Wide Receiver The WR1 cutoffs sit close together, with one analyst drawing the line at Chris Olave and the other going one tier higher to George Pickens.”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 25“Pickens answered that question by expanding his role after moving to a more aggressive passing offense, aided in part by a teammate missing time. The argument is that Pickens has already shown he can grow into a larger role, while Tate hasn’t yet, which should push Pickens ahead of him, possibly by more than a single spot.”
FantasyPros Staff· Jul 18
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“Dallas will have a tough dilemma if franchised WR George Pickens has a Pro Bowl season and Overshown remains healthy.”
Tony Camino· Jul 10“Pickens proved last year that all he needed was competent quarterback play to prove he can be an elite wide receiver in the league. After being stuck with Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Mason Rudolph, fantasy managers were blessed to witness a fully unlocked Pickens in 2025.”
Jonathan Lange· Jun 25“George Pickens had a monster first year with the Cowboys, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards.”
Sharp Football Staff· Jun 24“Pickens had a breakout season in his first year with the Cowboys, finishing as the WR5, averaging 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game. He averaged 8.7 targets and 26.3 fantasy points per game with CeeDee Lamb sidelined, but averaged 7.9 targets and 15.2 with Lamb playing.”
Mike Fanelli· Jun 21“Last year I made the case that George Pickens projected very similarly to Tee Higgins despite a two-round ADP discount. I'd maintain that they project similarly again in 2026, albeit with their ADPs in reverse order.”
Jakob Sanderson· Jun 20“George Pickens sparked one of the more interesting debates because the talent is obvious, but fantasy consistency has not always followed. The conversation leaned into the upside attached to his skill set while also recognizing that week-to-week reliability can still fluctuate. That tension is what makes Pickens such a fascinating fantasy player.”
FantasyPros Staff· May 23“George Pickens receiving TDs Over 4.5 -110 MGM (1 unit)”
Warren Sharp· May 20“George Pickens is the quintessential dynasty sell-high candidate after a 1,429-yard breakout season that culminated in him signing a $27.3 million franchise tag for 2026. While he proved he can thrive as a high-end target next to CeeDee Lamb, the breakdown in long-term contract negotiations suggests the Cowboys are hesitant to commit to his volatility beyond this season.”
FantasyPros Staff· May 13“They did trade for Rashan Gary and kept George Pickens around with the franchise tag, though they still need to work out a long-term deal.”
Raymond Summerlin· Mar 20“Every tagged player from 2026 had already done so with the exception of George Pickens and the Cowboys . To no surprise, the deadline passed without an agreement being reached .”
Adam La Rose· Jul 19“George Pickens signed the franchise tag and reportedly has no plans to skip training camp at the end of the month.”
Wyatt Grindley· Jul 12“There was some drama involving Pickens, whom the Cowboys did not lock up for the long haul. They instead slapped the former Steeler with the franchise tag in late February. Although the Cowboys have publicly ruled out an extension by the July 15 deadline, Pickens will report to training camp and play for $27.3MM. He should have plenty of motivation in his second consecutive platform season.”
Connor Byrne· Jul 4