DJ, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, and Gunner? Boykin? Bussey? Miller? All I know is the WR room just got a bunch better, IMO.
Sorry JuJu....
What are the betting odds of Pickens and Claypool both getting ejected from a game? I’m all for Pickens teaching Claypool intensity, but not like ALL of his intensity.
But you can’t argue with talent. If that comes with a certain attitude, I’ll take it. He’ll probably be hated by every other fan base. But I see that as a plus.
Between the two, I would've preferred Skyy Moore. I think he will have the better NFL career. All the tools are there for Pickens but the production is a question mark. I hope he excels.
Sure, but Austin kind of brings a similar skillset as Moore, but no doubt that Skyy Moore is a thicker athlete than Austin, who survives contact better. I think the addition of Pickens gives the WR group an outside WR with great hands and gets in and out of breaks better than Claypool, while Austin has the speed and quickness to get open from the slot and legitimately run jet sweep motion.
I wonder if the assumption is that Pickens will be 100% back from the injury by the time the season starts, or is he really close to it now. ACL injuries can really take 12-18 months.
It's quite coincidental how all of the top WRs have top QBs throwing them the ball, isn't it?
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Well he returned to Georgia for the last few games so I have to assume by now he's fully healed. The team said that he showed as much at his pro day.
I heard that he was used in a limited role when he returned to Georgia. Also, he just did a 40, vertical jump and broad jump at the Combine. He was 33" vertical at Combine and it looks like he didnt do a 3-cone, short shuttle or long shuttle at either. He jumped 34.5" at pro day vertical.
I suspect that he isnt entirely back from the injury yet and that is why he didnt do any 3-cone, shuttle , etc at pro day or combine. Maybe as he recovers he will be better faster and more explosive than the testing numbers indicate. I still like the pick.
He looks like an athletically improved version of Martavius Bryant without the drama.
All Defense!
He's actually a weaker, less athletic version of Martavis Bryant. Bryant jumped 6 inches higher, but Pickens bested Bryant in the broad jump by 2 inches.
Bryant ran a 4.42 and Pickens a 4.47. I can assure you that if Pickens would have done the bench press Bryant would have outdone him and that as well.
Their numbers are relatively similar though, but Pickens only jumping 33 inches is alarming. Like Gonzo said, maybe the injury is still lingering because 33 inches is very average, especially for a player that makes his living on contested catches, as well as being touted as having an insane catch radius.
Pickens didn't do any of the shuttle times, which is also alarming. I wouldn't say it's more important, but definitely equally as important as the 40...but A 33 in vertical is what gets me more than anything. Pickens looks to be a contested catch type of WR. Those types of guys usually have 36-40 in verticals. It seems like maybe Pickens isn't fully recovered. Hopefully they let him heal before they throw him out there.
Bryant was a lot thicker than Pickens is, so I highly doubt the pads would slow him down any more than what they would Pickens.
The past few drafts, the three highest WR ratings
(like the QBR but for receivers):
George Pickens 97.2
Ja’Marr Chase 96.9
Justin Jefferson 96.1
https://youtu.be/ksgrKTOqph4
Pickens' reaction to getting drafted.
I didn't like the pick at first. I'm coming around. He's got some DOG in him. He's going to be one of those players that if you aren't a Steelers fan you're going to hate him. I love those types of players.