(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
George Pickens stands at 6-foot-3, 201 pounds and runs a 4.47. He's the complete package for what you want in a wide receiver. He was a big-play machine at Georgia, averaging per catch figures of 15.1 and 13.0 during his first two seasons.
Pickens played just four games last year after tearing his ACL during a spring practice in March. If it wasn't for the injury, Pickens would have been a sure-fire first-round pick in the draft. When it comes to height, weight, speed, he's very similar to Martavis Bryant. While not as tall, he also kind of reminds me of Plaxico Burress.
"First we acknowledge that they come in all shapes and sizes, and they do at that position probably more than any other," Mike Tomlin said on The Risen Eisen Show when asked about the Steelers having success with drafting receivers. "And then you're looking for distinguishing traits, and (Pickens) has that. He's a big guy, 6-3 plus with little guy body control. His ability to change direction, his ability to stop and start, his ability to drop his weight, is like that of a much smaller man. So, that was a trait that really attracted us to him. He's a competitor. He's got easy hand-eye and ball skills, and obviously, that's a major component of the position, as well."
Along with being an efficient route runner and big-play target, Pickens also loves to block, which is a trait that the Steelers embrace.
"They're real physical. That's really the biggest thing. Aggressiveness," Pickens said about the Steelers offense via Teresa Valley of Steelers.com. "That's one of the biggest models of their game. That is really one of the bigger things in my game. I'm always physical. And I'm always finesse. You put those two together, you create a Steelers mentality like the receivers they already have now."
Like former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who's recognized as the greatest blocking receiver of all time, Pickens doesn't mind getting his nose dirty.
"To be honest with you it's a thrill," Pickens said. "When you're not catching the ball and you are out there, you don't have a route, it's a running play. The guy in front of you is the guy you're blocking. Blocking really ups it more to where you can make it fun and more entertaining. Kind of push them to the ground, go get the safety and move around the field faster."
Comments