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2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Prospect: George Pickens, WR

Pickens 6
George Pickens
Jeff Mueller Posted On April 7, 2022
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Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie prospect George Pickens, WR from Georgia. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned, and stay ahead of your league!

When looking at the 2022 class as a whole, the consensus seems to agree that it is top-heavy at the running back position, but wide receiver is where the depth and value will be. Tier one seems to be locked up, but the top slot in tier two is open for grabs and there is one wide receiver who could have arguably been near the top of tier one prior to the 2022 season: George Pickens.

THE STATS

word image 309

Statistics from Sports Reference.

Pickens tore his ACL in spring practice on March 23, 2021, yet was able to return to practice and wound up playing his first game of the 2021 season on November 27, a mere eight months and five days post-ACL reconstruction. As seen above, he only had five receptions on the season, but it was truly remarkable that he was able to suit up as quickly as he was and contribute for the National Champions.

Statistically speaking, Pickens did not make as much of an impact as his fellow draft prospects. Of note, Georgia was not a dominant passing attack, often playing conservatively and relying on their defense to carry their 54th-ranked passing attack (averaged 247.9 yards per game). When Pickens did play, his strengths were utilized in stretching the field, winning on back-shoulder throws, and winning contested catches.

word image 310

THE FILM

Pickens is built like a true outside receiver at 6’3”, 195 pounds. He wins with good size, physicality, and strength. While not a true burner, he often wins with good body control, stacking his defender, and adjusting well to over-the-shoulder throws. One key trait that stands out is his physicality, both in the receiving game and also in his blocking.

How can you not be a fan of this?

The play below occurred closer to 9.5 months post-surgery when he was really picking up steam, getting a good release against five-star recruit Kool-Aid McKinstry and stacking him to put himself in a great position to catch it deep. He made several of these outstanding catches, utilizing his long arms and concentration to reel it in.

Here is another one. It might just be his specialty.

Here are a few examples of how he wins with his physicality, but also sets himself up well for yards after the catch with his footwork and hip angles for movement after the catch. He is big, strong, and fast with strong hands and good concentration. If he can develop more nuance in his route-running, he may just wind up being his future quarterback’s favorite weapon and target hog.

Of note, it was not that long ago prior to his ACL tear when many viewed Pickens as THE WR1 of the 2022 class.

THE MEASURABLES

word image 311

Pickens’s measurements from Player Profiler.

DYNASTY VALUE

word image 312

In the latest DLF March 2022 Rookie Dynasty ADP, Pickens comes in around WR6 in the mid-to-late first round of rookie drafts. Arguably, he could slide in at the bottom of tier one or at the top of tier two for the wide receiver group, barring a massive slide in draft capital. He very well could wind up being one of the biggest values of the class if he falls in drafts.

CONCLUSION

George Pickens should be on your early radar for draft value winding up to the draft. If he slides in the actual NFL Draft, then we can reconsider his value, but by all indications, he should be at worst a round two pick.

From an injury standpoint, Pickens carries low risk for reinjury despite the ACL tear. Overall, he missed 13 games during his three seasons to injury; however, 11 of those came in the 2021 season after tearing his ACL in March and he was still able to play the remaining four games of the season, returning in a remarkable eight months. Pickens has the talent, the competitiveness, and the traits to be a solid producer at the next level.

There is concern from some that Pickens is undisciplined and immature, likely holding on to these comments from Kirby Smart back in Pickens’ freshman season. Not only was this a long time ago, but Pickens has also been commended for his competitiveness, determination in attacking his rehabilitation from the ACL tear, and in the same article caring for the community. The NFL Draft will likely tell us how NFL teams view Pickens, but as of now, it would appear that he has grown.

MMRFB150 970x250 1

Jeff Mueller
Latest posts by Jeff Mueller (see all)

Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie prospect George Pickens, WR from Georgia. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned, and stay ahead of your league!

When looking at the 2022 class as a whole, the consensus seems to agree that it is top-heavy at the running back position, but wide receiver is where the depth and value will be. Tier one seems to be locked up, but the top slot in tier two is open for grabs and there is one wide receiver who could have arguably been near the top of tier one prior to the 2022 season: George Pickens.

THE STATS

word image 309

Statistics from Sports Reference.

Pickens tore his ACL in spring practice on March 23, 2021, yet was able to return to practice and wound up playing his first game of the 2021 season on November 27, a mere eight months and five days post-ACL reconstruction. As seen above, he only had five receptions on the season, but it was truly remarkable that he was able to suit up as quickly as he was and contribute for the National Champions.

Statistically speaking, Pickens did not make as much of an impact as his fellow draft prospects. Of note, Georgia was not a dominant passing attack, often playing conservatively and relying on their defense to carry their 54th-ranked passing attack (averaged 247.9 yards per game). When Pickens did play, his strengths were utilized in stretching the field, winning on back-shoulder throws, and winning contested catches.

word image 310

THE FILM

Pickens is built like a true outside receiver at 6’3”, 195 pounds. He wins with good size, physicality, and strength. While not a true burner, he often wins with good body control, stacking his defender, and adjusting well to over-the-shoulder throws. One key trait that stands out is his physicality, both in the receiving game and also in his blocking.

How can you not be a fan of this?

The play below occurred closer to 9.5 months post-surgery when he was really picking up steam, getting a good release against five-star recruit Kool-Aid McKinstry and stacking him to put himself in a great position to catch it deep. He made several of these outstanding catches, utilizing his long arms and concentration to reel it in.

Here is another one. It might just be his specialty.

Here are a few examples of how he wins with his physicality, but also sets himself up well for yards after the catch with his footwork and hip angles for movement after the catch. He is big, strong, and fast with strong hands and good concentration. If he can develop more nuance in his route-running, he may just wind up being his future quarterback’s favorite weapon and target hog.

Of note, it was not that long ago prior to his ACL tear when many viewed Pickens as THE WR1 of the 2022 class.

THE MEASURABLES

word image 311

Pickens’s measurements from Player Profiler.

DYNASTY VALUE

word image 312

In the latest DLF March 2022 Rookie Dynasty ADP, Pickens comes in around WR6 in the mid-to-late first round of rookie drafts. Arguably, he could slide in at the bottom of tier one or at the top of tier two for the wide receiver group, barring a massive slide in draft capital. He very well could wind up being one of the biggest values of the class if he falls in drafts.

CONCLUSION

George Pickens should be on your early radar for draft value winding up to the draft. If he slides in the actual NFL Draft, then we can reconsider his value, but by all indications, he should be at worst a round two pick.

From an injury standpoint, Pickens carries low risk for reinjury despite the ACL tear. Overall, he missed 13 games during his three seasons to injury; however, 11 of those came in the 2021 season after tearing his ACL in March and he was still able to play the remaining four games of the season, returning in a remarkable eight months. Pickens has the talent, the competitiveness, and the traits to be a solid producer at the next level.

There is concern from some that Pickens is undisciplined and immature, likely holding on to these comments from Kirby Smart back in Pickens’ freshman season. Not only was this a long time ago, but Pickens has also been commended for his competitiveness, determination in attacking his rehabilitation from the ACL tear, and in the same article caring for the community. The NFL Draft will likely tell us how NFL teams view Pickens, but as of now, it would appear that he has grown.

MMRFB150 970x250 1

Jeff Mueller
Latest posts by Jeff Mueller (see all)

2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Prospect: George Pickens, WR
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