George Pickens | Georgia 6’3” 200 lbs. | 03/04/2001 (Age 21)
George Pickens was drafted 52nd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the 11th wide receiver and 52nd overall player in the 2022 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2019 (FR) | 12 | 49 | 727 | 14.8 | 8 |
| 2020 (SO) | 8 | 36 | 513 | 14.3 | 6 |
| 2021 (JR) | 4 | 5 | 107 | 21.4 | 0 |
Pickens made an immediate impact during his first season at Georgia. He landed on the SEC All-Freshman team and carried that momentum into 2020. Although his numbers look like they went down at first glance, Pickens ended up improving his numbers in 2020. Yes, he produced 49 receptions, 727 yards, and eight touchdowns during the 2019 season, but his 12-game pace in 2020 calculated out to be about 54 receptions, 770 yards, and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately, he ended up tearing his ACL before the 2021 season, but he managed to play in the final four games of the season. He showcased some rust, but in the National Title game, he hauled in a 52-yard reception that helped change the momentum in favor of Georgia early on.
STRENGTHS
Bursts from the line of scrimmage, and often beats defenders right out the gate. Elite catch radius, as he rises and snags passes that are outside his frame. Hand strength is an elite trait, and he has a knack at getting open in deep stem routes. Plays hungry and makes eye-popping catches, displaying his freakishly athletic skill set.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks physicality when he’s lining up across an aggressive corner. Physical press coverage has slowed him down mightily. Needs to protect his catch radius space better. Doesn’t win a ton of 50/50 contests. Has missed time due to injury. Also could improve with his consistency in route-running. Comes out of breaks slowly too often, but displays encouragement for improvement.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL combine, Pickens measured in at 6’3” and 200 lbs. Which equates to a BMI of 24.8. He ran a solid 4.47 40-yard dash, equating to a 102.9-speed score. Both figures landed him in the 73rd percentile or higher. Pickens also displayed a 121.2 burst score (50th percentile) and a college dominator score of 18.9 percent (20th percentile).
Pickens shows elite downfield speed and athleticism. He showcased solid leaping abilities with a 33” vertical and a 125” broad jump. His one red flag would be his health, as he ended up not participating in any route-running drills. That may have been because he’s still only a year removed from an ACL tear.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Excellent
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Fair
Pickens was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh welcomes Pickens and adds him to a young and talented wide receiver room that already rosters Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. The trio paves the way for a bright future for new quarterback Kenny Pickett and company.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Pickens will have a hard time making an immediate impact with Claypool and Johnson on the same team as him. He’s a top-15 receiver in this draft, and he looks like the clear WR3 for his new team. In rookie drafts, he’s worth a look in the third round, but keep in mind that he may get off to a slow start to his career. In dynasty start-ups, he’s a middle-round talent.
Thank you for tuning in to DFF’s 2022 NFL Draft Coverage! Stay tuned as we break down every fantasy-relevant pick during the draft. Please consider becoming our yearly DFF subscription member so we can continue to deliver top-notch analysis and fantasy breakdowns. Our yearly subscription will save you $40 and lead you to fantasy championships. You can also follow me @dirrim23 where I love talking about all things fantasy football! #DFFArmy #FantasyFootball #AlwaysBeBuilding #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLTransactions #NFLTrades #AlwaysBeBuilding
