RADIO
Rookie wide receivers have been phenomenal fantasy assets over the past few years. This season, Chris Olave, Drake London, Jahan Dotson, and Garrett Wilson have all had successful starts to the fantasy season. However, other players who were not drafted in the first round of this past April's NFL Draft are emerging as fantasy-relevant options.
Alec Pierce, George Pickens, and Khalil Shakir have all started to showcase their talents over the past two weeks. Pierce has become the clear No. 2 option for quarterback Matt Ryan, Pickens seems to have overtaken Chase Claypool's role as the No. 2 option in Pittsburgh, and Shakir had a top-15 performance in replacement of Isaiah McKenzie in Week 5.
Are all three of these players going to have a major fantasy impact for the remainder of the 2022 season? Let's dive into their recent success and look at their chances to remain fantasy-relevant moving forward.
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Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce shined bright on a national stage this past Thursday night during the Colts' 12-9 victory over the Denver Broncos. The rookie receiver led the team in all receiving categories, gaining 81 yards on eight receptions. The 22-year-old made some pivotal grabs to keep the chains moving and the Colts' offense on the field, catching three catches on the drive that set up the team to kick the game-tieing field goal.
Pierce was on track to be in line for a decent target share heading into the season. The main competition for targets on the outside was Dezmon Patman, Mike Strachan, and DeMichael Harris, who combined for a grand total of seven targets in 2021. Parris Campbell was the primary concern for Pierce's potential target share, but he has not been a factor through the first five weeks of the season.
Impressive especially in light of the fact all of Pierce's production has come in the past three weeks. #Colts https://t.co/yuEscDBizE
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) October 11, 2022
The former Cincinnati Bearcat has caught 15 of his 20 targets and gained 222 yards over the past three weeks since returning from a concussion he suffered during the season opener. Pierce has also been targeted on 20.1% of his routes run. That is more than teammate Michael Pittman Jr., who has been targeted on 19.8% of his routes.
With touchdowns sure to come, Pierce has everything working in his favor to be a viable fantasy option moving forward. There is no real competition for targets outside of Pittman Jr. Pierce is the main big-play threat for the offense, and he has several favorable matchups over the next couple of months. Pierce is widely available for free on waivers and is a trade-for target. His fantasy success is more than sustainable.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens was pegged as a potential breakout candidate early this season after having an impressive preseason run. The 21-year-old was quiet through the first two weeks, catching just two of his five targets for 26 yards. However, over the past three weeks, Pickens has caught 15 of his 23 targets, gaining 224 yards.
The quarterback change from Mitch Trubisky to fellow rookie Kenny Pickett has helped Pickens garner a higher target share than when he started the season. The Georgia alum has led the Steelers in receptions and receiving yards the past two weeks, and even though Diontae Johnson led the team in targets in Week 5, Pickens seems to be the clear No. 2 target for Pickett.
George Pickens today:
• 8 targets
• 6 receptions
• 83 yardsThis is the second week in a row the Steelers rookie WR has led the team in receiving 👀 pic.twitter.com/uDSHx3GjXb
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 9, 2022
Unlike Pierce, Pickens does have to deal with competition for targets in the form of Chase Claypool. However, Claypool has been unproductive with the targets he has seen and has seen more than six in a single game on just one occasion. Snap share has not been an issue for Pickens this season, as he has been on the field for at least 70% of the offensive snaps through five weeks.
As long as the Steelers' second-rounder can continue to operate as Pickett's No. 2 target, his fantasy success is more than sustainable. Claypool stealing a few targets could prove bothersome at times, but if Pickens can start to find the end zone, he should return FLEX value at the very least moving forward.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir is a name more often associated with dynasty leagues rather than redraft leagues. However, after his performance this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, fantasy players from all over have started to take notice. The 22-year-old caught three of his five targets for 75 yards and a touchdown in relief of the injured Isaiah McKenzie (concussion).
Coming into the game, Shakir had not done much. He was a healthy scratch twice through the first four weeks and was targeted only four times. However, veteran slot receiver Jamison Crowder was placed on IR after breaking his ankle in Week 4, making the fifth-rounder the immediate backup for McKenzie. He took advantage of his opportunity to start this past Sunday and has left fantasy managers wondering if he can continue to produce.
Khalil Shakir saw 14% of Buffalo's targets today with both Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie sidelined, and he unsurprisingly played 92% of his snaps from the slot. He ran just four fewer routes than Stefon Diggs and five fewer than Gabe Davis.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) October 9, 2022
Tight end Dawson Knox (foot, hamstring) also missed this game, leading to Shakir being the clear No. 3 target for quarterback Josh Allen. When McKenzie is ready to return, Shakir will take on a smaller role, but there is little chance he is a healthy scratch moving forward. He has earned the chance to become more involved in the offense and will likely serve as a rotational receiver who primarily plays in the slot.
Shakir will not have weekly value like Pierce and Pickens, but he is clearly a stash candidate who would step into immediate usage if any of the Bills' wide receivers were to miss time, especially McKenzie. The Boise State alum is not a must-add player, but he should have a few more fantasy-relevant performances before the season comes to a close.
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