One of the underrated storylines of Russell Wilson’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been the resurgence of George Pickens. The Steelers’ third-year receiver has seen his average yards per game jump from 60.5 under Justin Fields to 92 with Wilson. Pickens has also found the end zone twice in Wilson’s three starts after not scoring once through Week 6. It’s clear that Pickens is trending upward — and downfield.

Pickens leads the NFL in receptions (11) and receiving yards (370) on deep targets (20+ air yards) this season, per Next Gen Stats. Since Wilson took over the starting QB gig in Week 7, he has found Pickens five times for 164 yards on deep passes, the second-most by any QB-WR duo in that span despite the Steelers having a Week 9 bye. Don’t count on that connection slowing down in Week 11 against the Ravens.

Baltimore’s last-ranked pass defense has allowed the third-most yards (597) and is tied for the most touchdowns (7) given up on deep passes this season. The 2024 Ravens have also allowed a league-high 83 explosive passes (15+ yards), tied for the most by any team through the first 10 weeks of the season since the Next Gen Stats era began in 2016. Even if Baltimore, who has allowed the most yards and TDs to receivers this season, cover Pickens tightly, expect him to make a play on the seemingly impossible. Pickens has generated a league-high 1,277 receiving yards on passes that have a completion probability of under 50% over the past three seasons. Any way you slice it, Pickens is set to feast on Sunday. (Check out this All-22 playlist of Pickens’ success on deep targets this season.)

Fantasy Outlook (from NFL.com’s Matt Okada)

The Ravens are the league’s top pass-funnel and have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers as a result. The opposing team’s most-targeted wideout has averaged 21.4 fantasy points against Baltimore, and a league-high seven receivers have topped 20 fantasy points against them. Meanwhile, Pickens has averaged 92 receiving yards per game with Wilson under center. He’s a lock for WR2 production with the upside to finish number one on the week.