The different day, we famous that analytically talking, Diontae Johnson is likely one of the maximum open receivers in soccer. Hidden on the finish of that ESPN article had been the least open receivers. And there was once a Steeler amongst that team, too. George Pickens was once named the next-to-last open receiver within the league with a rating of simply 28, most effective forward of fellow rookie Jahan Dotson.
Here’s what ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote:
“On the other end of the rookie spectrum are Washington‘s Jahan Dotson (34 overall) and Pittsburgh‘s George Pickens (35). Open Score has been the concern for each, with Dotson at 21 and Pickens at 28, the two worst among all qualifiers.”
So the 2 have the worst general receiver ratings and the 2 lowest “open” ratings, which measures how a lot separation a participant is getting. At least for Pickens there’s slightly of area between his quantity and Dotson’s, 28 to 21. Still, it’s a discouraging quantity. It’s indubitably a distinction to Pickens’ trust he’s open “90%” of the time.
Though analytics can get slowed down of their inherent wonkiness, the tape backs up the knowledge. As our Tyler Wise identified, Pickens’ path operating may use a variety of paintings, and he hasn’t created a lot area. His path tree has in large part been restricted to sight changes, operating vertically or breaking down beneath in opposition to comfortable protection. Those problems aren’t new and are issues we wrote about again in the summertime, bringing up it thru the entire summer season hype he was once producing.
Here’ what we wrote in overdue August.
“There’s flaws in his game that get masked by all the highlight-reel stuff. He needs to create more separation on his intermediate routes, needs to be a more technical route runner and getting the correct depth (something Coach Jackson was on him about throughout the summer) and his release package could use work, too. He’s still a bit raw around the edges, expected for a 21 year old underclassman who barely played last season.”
Pickens’ general talent isn’t in query, his ceiling is sky-high, however there’s masses for him to enhance on. It is value bringing up Pickens’ general operating taste is lovely distinctive. He’s an extended strider and glider and there are occasions on tape the place it looks as if he’s slightly operating. But he has an attractive uncanny talent to easily out-run cornerbacks. I take into account one rep all through camp, a 1v1 drill in opposition to Ahkello Witherspoon, the place Pickens in what felt like a jog simply stacked and burned Witherspoon, who runs within the 4.4’s. There were gamers all through historical past who’ve had their effort puzzled on account of their gliding taste, and Pickens would possibly fall right into a an identical boat.
So a ways, Pickens easiest performs have come contested and he excels there extra ceaselessly than maximum. It’s a little bit counter-intuitive, however he’s at his easiest when he doesn’t seem to be open. At least, that’s what he’s proven thru his temporary NFL profession. Pittsburgh wishes to seek out extra tactics to get the ball into his arms. But Pickens additionally has to growth, refine, and enhance his recreation. As same old, there’s a degree of nuance to the dialog and right here, either side – participant and staff – have paintings to do.