foxco
Footballguy
Pickens is a target of mine in several drafts so this is disconcerting. The report notes multiple teams saying he was terrible at the interview, so it seems like there's something up.
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WR George Pickens, PIT (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JohnnyU
- Start date
MAC_32
Footballguy
It can both be true and he still clearly be the 8th best option in non sf drafts. I think this only gets muddy if one of the top 5 wr falls or someone like Dotson goes to a situation like GB or KC early day 2.
massraider
Footballguy
If we can find a report that isn't from Charlie Campbell at Walter Football, I'm ready to listen.
Walter Football has a terrible reputation, and I wonder how many Director of Player Personnels from around the league are speaking off the record to "Walter Football".
Most underrated player in the draft in my opinion. Wouldn't be shocked if ends up the best WR in the class. If he falls out of the top-50, he's likely just gonna have a bigger chip on his shoulder. I'm gonna be thrilled if he makes it to 1.9 pretty much regardless of where he lands.
socrates
Footballguy
I find it curious that teams are reportedly frightened by Pickens' ACL tear, and yet, when it comes to Jameson Williams, you get a completely different response.
Has PIckens had complications and a slower return than normal? If so, then he is further along the process with issues where Williams is still on track and everyone is thinking best case scenario until proven otherwise. Pickens may have already "proven otherwise".
socrates
Footballguy
Quite the contrary. Pickens actually returned in-season, then impressed at the Combine with a 4.47 forty!
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Drake Hater
Footballguy
So the guy got into it with an opponent during a rivalry game? Shocking. Not sure how that should be a ding against him. And the interviews supposedly not going well sounds like pure speculation. Not seeing him falling to late 2nd.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
or misinformation designed to push him down in the draft by teams with mid-second round picks.
Faust
MVP
JetMaxx
Footballguy
Fascinating how little stock the layman puts into the poor character aspect of a player’s evaluation.
socrates
Footballguy
I don't think anyone is overlooking character concerns. Pickens has shown some immaturity, no doubt, but how egregious are these acts of immaturity? He got into a fight in the endzone during a game and doused an opposing QB with his water bottle on the sidelines during another game. Immature acts to be sure, but I am unaware of any reports of off-field violence.JetMaxx said:
JohnnyU
Footballguy
What worries me more than the character red flags is that he didn't do squat after his Freshman year and I'm excusing the injury year. Some will blame it on bad QB play his Sophomore year, but it goes deeper than that IMO.
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socrates
Footballguy
Pickens broke out in 2019 as a true freshman. In a 2020 COVID-condensed season, Pickens played just 8 games due to an injured pectoral muscle and still led the team in receiving with 513 yards on 36 receptions and 6 TDs. He went on to miss the 2020 season with a torn ACL, but showed remarkable rehab, coming back for the college football playoffs.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
socrates
Footballguy
Certainly not elite numbers, and, to your point, it is disappointing that Pickens never capitalized on his breakout freshman season, regardless of the reasons. Nonetheless, there is good reason to believe we have yet to see the best of George Pickens.
massraider
Footballguy
Rookie draft just started, and I have 1.7 and 2.01 (12 team).
Took Olave at 7, and was hoping Pickens at 13. Dude went next pick, 1.9.
Feels like he will have a big range in rookie drafts
Took Olave at 7, and was hoping Pickens at 13. Dude went next pick, 1.9.
Feels like he will have a big range in rookie drafts
rockaction
Footballguy
I took Pickens at 1.12. I traded up for him. The person who originally held the pick was going to draft Christian Watson at 1.12. I would have grabbed Pickens with the 2.1, which was also where I sat (I held the 1.12, 2.1, and 2.02 at that point) so he does have the potential to make it to 13. Draft I was just in proved it. If I don't move up, he would have been mine at 2.01.
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MAC_32
Footballguy
Went at 8 in one, I picked him at 21 in another, and he's still available at 12 in my third. So..yeah, I'll say.
Faust
MVP
Report: Steelers QBs knew Kenny Pickett was the guy, and why George Pickens is in the perfect spot
Why Did Bears Pass On George Pickens? Details Emerge
NFL draft deep dive: Is George Pickens mature and consistent enough to thrive in the NFL?
Around the AFC North: Steelers Rookie Wide Receiver Looks Forward to Bringing Physicality
Why Did Bears Pass On George Pickens? Details Emerge
NFL draft deep dive: Is George Pickens mature and consistent enough to thrive in the NFL?
Around the AFC North: Steelers Rookie Wide Receiver Looks Forward to Bringing Physicality
Faust
MVP
JohnnyU
Footballguy
"Even before the draft began, there were rumblings that George Pickens suffered from maturity issues. He had some notable blowups as a freshman in 2019 that got him in trouble. Don’t forget he only turned 21-years old in March. Certain reports indicated red flags surrounded him. Poles had no intention of putting somebody like that in the same huddle as his quarterback. Maybe it was too cautious of a decision, but it’s unlikely the Bears GM regrets it."
I would have worried about his lack of production after his freshman year, even excusing the injury year.
rockaction
Footballguy
That doesn't really make any sense. He injured it his sophomore year and came back late in his junior year and then left early for the draft.
rockaction
Footballguy
This guy needs to take a breath before he crowns the Steelers 2022-23 Super Bowl Champions. I listened to him. He's such a homer.
MAC_32
Footballguy
rockaction
Footballguy
Yes, in spring practice. So JohnnyU should be concerned about his lack of production his sophomore year? A little strict, but I guess...
I'm more concerned about how quickly he came back from the injury. Something I read on these boards about nine months really being the magic number, and he was pushing it at eight months.
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socrates
Footballguy
Pickens did return in record time (a testament perhaps to his dedication?). He played limited snaps upon return, so I am not sure there is much to be concerned about, but I would love to hear your perspective.
rockaction
Footballguy
There's really no perspective other than I hope he didn't accelerate his rehab and compromise the joint. I'm not a doctor and wasn't there for his timeline, but I've read around here that there's a nine-month timetable for what he was doing a few months earlier.
I have no idea. Best hear about it from a doctor (his old team and new team doctors) than from me.
It also goes to show how unconcerned I am about his sophomore production.
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I can't remember Pickens health status his soph year but I don't understand the discussion of his lack of production. The offense has always spread the ball around, he only played 8 games that year and posted almost a 1/4th of the total team receiving yardage in those 8 games. Again on an offense that likes to spread it around I don't see the issue.
Grid71
Footballguy
Have to see how things shake out from camp. If Pickens comes out to prove he’s a nasty blocker in this RPO, he could find himself on the field a whole lot more. Expect his fantasy production to be TD and yardage heavy with high ceiling low floor. Better pick for best ball.
my way too early take on Canada’s system
Harris and Johnson are the high volume PPR options
Freiermuth seam ripper and 3rd down security blanket
Mapletron gets his gadget on with jet sweeps, misdirection, play action and occasional deep ball
Pickens stretches the field trying to get 1 on 1 matchups. Would be sick if he maintains that 68% contested catch completion rate as a pro. Sick! He can elevate the offense and make these young QB look real good.
Fun sized Lightning McAustin gets sprinkled in. Theoretically, Defenses have to play disciplined or risk giving up chunk plays. Steelers will look to get him the ball in space or outrun the secondary.
my way too early take on Canada’s system
Harris and Johnson are the high volume PPR options
Freiermuth seam ripper and 3rd down security blanket
Mapletron gets his gadget on with jet sweeps, misdirection, play action and occasional deep ball
Pickens stretches the field trying to get 1 on 1 matchups. Would be sick if he maintains that 68% contested catch completion rate as a pro. Sick! He can elevate the offense and make these young QB look real good.
Fun sized Lightning McAustin gets sprinkled in. Theoretically, Defenses have to play disciplined or risk giving up chunk plays. Steelers will look to get him the ball in space or outrun the secondary.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Every rehab is different, but as a general rule your timeline is right - it was not a wise decision to return to activity as early as he did. We're not privy to the details and he could be a mutant like AD, but we don't have the information necessary to make such a judgment. Based on the info we do have it's fair to assess extra injury risk to him than his contemporaries for at least this year, but given his current value on the market it is something I'm comfortable with.
I have similar read on this as well but as it relates to Pickens I'd add a big key is will he be something close to a starter even if he does not pass Claypool? This would seem likely to be the case if 11 personnel is the base offense and Diontae or Claypool is kicked into the slot. So to me the big key is how much of their base offense will feature 3-4 WR sets. My thought is most of the time, how much and being sure he's that third WR is to me a big key.
massraider
Footballguy
This is SI.com???
Who gets these jobs? First guy to apply who still lives with mom?
massraider
Footballguy
Early standout in camp!
He's my dude, and I didn't get him anywhere
He's my dude, and I didn't get him anywhere
rockaction
Footballguy
I can only dream that he's really the guy they line up wide in 2WR sets. Pittsburgh might be practicing 3WR sets by moving Claypool to the slot, but that doesn't mean Claypool will come off of the field in 2WR situations. I think everybody is missing that on Twitter, really. What you really want to see is him beating out Claypool in 2WR sets. And that's going to take all preseason. Don't jump so quickly to conclusions here.
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Faust
MVP
George Pickens has that dawg in him.
After making four consecutive receptions (some contested) at todays practice, he went on to stare down Minkah Fitzpatrick and other Steelers defensive players and said “Don’t say sh*t.”
