Who has the more productive rookie season?
Imo, they will both get plenty of opportunities, but I'm going with Austin. I think they'll try to utilize his speed as much as possible. Just needs to stay healthy.
Who has the more productive rookie season?
Imo, they will both get plenty of opportunities, but I'm going with Austin. I think they'll try to utilize his speed as much as possible. Just needs to stay healthy.
I'm going with Austin. He was highly productive in college. Pickens, not so much.
Hard for me to go against my favorite selection the team made .... Austin and his Blazing speed ( world class speed ) he may be 5'8" but his wing span is that of a much larger man , long arms , large catch radius for a guy his size , agility in spades , quick as a cat , did I mention speed ?? and he has good hands and does not drop the ball !!!!!!!
did I mention how fast he is ???
if you want splash plays get this man the ball in space and let him create
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles problem now
The more time I have to think about the Pickens selection, the less I like it. Talented but erratic player who made a big splash but hasn't done a lot since, is coming off a major injury and sounds like kind of a meathead. Another poster said he reminds them of Martavis Bryant, which I kind of worry about. Sometimes we've managed to get the most out of those kinds of players for a while, but for a R2 pick, seems like a big gamble on a wild card.
I am assuming Austin will get a lot of time as the slot receiver, and as long as we've got a QB who can throw the ball decently, a good slot receiver ought to thrive in this offense - the speed is a nice bonus, we've seen how the ability to turn little slants into big breakaways can change the whole game.
See you Space Cowboy ...
Except Martavis Bryant had speed to get downfield. The impression I'm getting from Pickens is that he's a possession/red zone guy. Catches everything but won't break away.
See you Space Cowboy ...
Pickens, the guy seems to catch everything and is a big target. These kind of guys are a young QB's best friend
The Steelers met with Pickens at least twice and worked him out at his pro-day. I think they knew exactly who they were going after in the draft. WR has been a strong drafted position and I believe they got their guy with Pickens so I definitely believe there is a plan for him. I don't see him coming in off the bench.
I'm extremely interested to see some formations and pre-snap motions these guys will run. So many options with a new coordinator. This offense could jump out and surprise some teams out of the gate.
As for more productive rookie season between Pickens and Austin? I think it will be a close battle but I'll give an edge to Austin. I think he will be used in the run game as well as the passing game. And I think there will be some gimmick plays just to get him the ball in space. Sounds fun doesn't it?
They have Austin listed at 5'9 162 lbs. In comparison, Dri Archer was 5'8 174 lbs. I think they will run a few jet sweeps, but not any more than a few. At that size I don't think they will risk getting Austin smacked by LBs or DEs too often.
I’m not taking anything away from Austin and those who think he’s going to be better. That said, I’m not sure why so many are down on Pickens. Yes, Pickens only had 5 receptions this past season… because Pickens was injured AND when he did return, Kirby smart limited Pickens’ snaps.
SUMMATION:
As I stated prior to the draft, Pickens has the potential to be the best receiver in this entire draft class.
Maybe the red flags narrative from draft media is gaining traction?
I cant find what is that put unnamed sources and one scout off about the kid. One fight and some water bottle nonsense?
Its not like he tested positive for drugs or has a rep for being arrested. What am I missing?
I see a prospect who needs refinement but could have an AJ Green - Randy Moss ceiling.
It was obvious the Steelers were drafting a WR. It was also obvious they showed much interest in George Pickens. They already have a plan for him.
Pickens seems like a Smith-Shuster type player to me.
Pickens 6'3", 195
JuJu 6'2", 210
I'm guessing they liked what they had in JuJu and wanted more of it at an affordable price.
Tough question, depends on Canada’s play calling, the QB, the o line. Everything will be completely new. That being said I’ll go with Pickens just because he’s bigger, good hands and decent speed, and thus more durable: they’ll use him more than a small slot receiver
If used correctly (think Wes Welker), Austin could be a terror to cover, but you have to develop an offense that can get him the ball downfield past the linebackers. If the QB can hit him there while he's moving he is going to be a terror to stop.
As for Pickens I don't get the hate. He played in the top program his last two years playing against the best, and won a national championship. Had he not been hurt I don't think he would have been there to pick. He's going to be good.
Austin weighed in at 173 at the Combine.
https://www.nfl.com/news/calvin-aust...rd-dash-explos
Antonio Brown ran a 4.47/40. DJ ran a 4.53/40. Claypool came in at a 4.42/40.
The 40 time means so very little. Guys practice that run as part of their workout for combine and pro-day numbers. Play speed and agility are much more important.
Austin is quick off the release, has great change of direction and speed, plus he runs good routes and shows good hands. A 39" vertical and 4.32 40-yard dash he has the tools to get open. He may not break many tackles, but I think he is going to get the ball in jet sweeps and work the slot in 3WR sets, plus that speed from the slot can hold a safety if a team is playing single high safety.
He is going to get some Tavon Austin comparisons and Isaiah MacKenzie is what Lance Zeirline has a comp to. I think he will get more work this year, but Pickens has a chance to push Claypool for catches and most likely replace Johnson if he leaves as a free agent in 2023.
Lets be honest, whether its Trubisky or Pickett that gets the QB1 job, their best friends will be the reliable hands of Friermuth, the route running of Johnson to get open and a check down to Najee in the flats if the first couple reads arent there. The days of lobbing a football up to Claypool in single coverage are most likely gone (thank god).
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles problem now
The route running of Johnson? DJ? Like when he gave up on his route in the wildcard last year? I hope his route ruining improves but I won’t hold my breath. I actually like the acquisition of Pickens and Austin, I have a feeling they can really improve the existing receiver corp. DJ and Claypool have talent but they haven’t reached their potential at all yet,