ROUND 1
GEORGE PICKENS
STRENGTHS
+ Prototype size
+ Good body control
+ Natural hands
+ Ball tracking and high pointing
WEAKNESSES
-Injury concerns
-Production has declined
-Deep speed?
ELITE – Pretty much the NFL prototype size – 6’3ft with a long and lean body type.
GOOD – Appears to have good enough game speed – Can run all the routes and get open deep – Doesn’t get a ton of separation from pure speed
OKAY – Doesn’t make a ton of people miss – his large frame makes an easier target. Doesn’t have elite break away speed or enough power to bull through arm tackles.
GOOD – Has good agility and fluid movement skills to run crisp routes. Gets just enough separation – creating windows for his QB. His large catch radius and vertical ability makes him more open than most other WR’s.
ELITE – Very natural catching the ball – strong hands that wont drop many. Has the natural ability to judge and high point the ball. Can contort and manipulate his body – adjusting to the ball in the air. Some of the best hands in the draft.
BREAK DOWN
One of the more difficult prospects to predict in the entire draft – GEORGE PICKENS could be the biggest steal of the draft, if he can stay healthy… He had a solid freshman year with over 700 yards. But missed a few games and had only 500 as a sophomore and pretty much has missed his entire junior year.
When he is on the field – PICKENS looks like a pro bowl NFL WR – strangely enough he reminds me of former Georgia Bulldog A.J Green. Unfortunately he may also have the injuries that came with AJ Green as well. At the end of the day – it is hard to predict durability – but he is a first round talent with rare ball skills and prototype size. If he can stay on the field, I think PICKENS will be a gem.
