I like the Pickens trade, but I have one football-related red flag

[StarOfGlory]

If Pickens can become what Tee Higgins or DeVonta Smith is, the trade will be excellent. The one red flag I have relating to football is his catch percentage. A top-tier #2 should have a high catch percentage, showing the defense that he is more of a threat. Pickens has three years into his career, and his catch percentage has decreased every year, unlike Higgins and Smith.

Tee Higgins:
2020-62%
2021-67.3%
2022-67.9%
2023-55.3%
2024-67%
Five-year average: 64.5%

DeVonta Smith:
2021-61.5%
2022-69.9%
2023-72.3%
2024-76.4%
Four-year average: 69.8%

George Pickens:
2022: 61.9%
2023: 59.4%
2024: 57.3%
Three-year average: 59.4%

I know Pickens had to operate as the #1 in Pittsburgh, so that may or may not affect his stats in ways you think. But any way you slice it, that is not a good percentage. To put this into perspective, here are the #1's for Higgins and Smith. Ja'Marr Chase catches at 67.9% average, AJ Brown's last two years in Philly are 68.1%. CeeDee's five-year average is 68.9%. Pickens should be able to have a catch percentage around 66%.

I already see people posting that we have a top five one-two duo in the league. For that to be a solid truth, Pickens should get his catch percentage up to Smith or Higgins level, or at least in the same neighborhood.

He has the talent to do so. Can he keep his head on straight and do it with Dak and our coaching staff? I can't wait to find out the answer to this question. If so, I think we make the playoffs.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Only thing that matters is all those UNDER THROWN and over thrown balls, we now have someone that lives for these moments!!!

 

[locked&loaded]

 

[montgod]

Yeah probably coincides with the QB that was throwing him the ball - that formidable Steeler qb carousel.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Aren’t all those guys throwing him the ball backups except Russ?

 

[StarOfGlory]

Then I hope Dak throws him the ball deep often, because he isn't as good catching intermediate routes. The numbers don't lie either way, good or bad.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Aren’t all those guys throwing him the ball backups except Russ?

According to half of the posters here, Jalen Hurts sucks, so why does Smith have such a high percentage? Sometimes the receiver has to do his job.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

According to half of the posters here, Jalen Hurts sucks, so why does Smith have such a high percentage? Sometimes the receiver has to do his job.

Well let’s don’t use what those guys say because who knows where those opinions come from lol. We know Hurts is better than Mason Rudolph and Tribusky.

 

[gtb1943]

Then I hope Dak throws him the ball deep often, because he isn't as good catching intermediate routes. The numbers don't lie either way, good or bad.

the numbers lie all the time
the QBs he plays with...
interesting you do not want to talk about THEM
no Mahomes, Allen, etc

I have no worries about his ability or talent
now between the ears is another story but your OP is a joke

 

[DeaconMoss]

He better start working on catching worm burners, hospital balls and behind the back catches.

 

[locked&loaded]

He better start working on catching worm burners, hospital balls and behind the back catches.

He has to be licking his chops. This is the best QB he's ever had and CD will draw coverage away from him.

It will be slim pickens, because he's about to feast

 

[maryquality]

Well I hope Dak works on his deep throws then!!

 

[Catpappy]

He’ll need his leaping skills here

 

[John813]

I think it's twofold.

Can he keep his composure here, and how does he and Dak click..

If both are a success then it will definitely shoot up % wise.

 

[KJJ]

If Pickens can become what Tee Higgins or DeVonta Smith is, the trade will be excellent. The one red flag I have relating to football is his catch percentage. A top-tier #2 should have a high catch percentage, showing the defense that he is more of a threat. Pickens has three years into his career, and his catch percentage has decreased every year, unlike Higgins and Smith.

Tee Higgins:
2020-62%
2021-67.3%
2022-67.9%
2023-55.3%
2024-67%
Five-year average: 64.5%

DeVonta Smith:
2021-61.5%
2022-69.9%
2023-72.3%
2024-76.4%
Four-year average: 69.8%

George Pickens:
2022: 61.9%
2023: 59.4%
2024: 57.3%
Three-year average: 59.4%

I know Pickens had to operate as the #1 in Pittsburgh, so that may or may not affect his stats in ways you think. But any way you slice it, that is not a good percentage. To put this into perspective, here are the #1's for Higgins and Smith. Ja'Marr Chase catches at 67.9% average, AJ Brown's last two years in Philly are 68.1%. CeeDee's five-year average is 68.9%. Pickens should be able to have a catch percentage around 66%.

I already see people posting that we have a top five one-two duo in the league. For that to be a solid truth, Pickens should get his catch percentage up to Smith or Higgins level, or at least in the same neighborhood.

He has the talent to do so. Can he keep his head on straight and do it with Dak and our coaching staff? I can't wait to find out the answer to this question. If so, I think we make the playoffs.

You’re probably the only one worrying about that. The other two receivers you mentioned have solid QBs. Pickens has put up nice numbers despite the Steelers QB issues. He put up over 1100 yards in 2023 with Pickett, Rudolph and Trubisky. Pickens 16.3 per catch average shows he’s a threat. CeeDee’s career average is 12.8.

 

[J-man]

I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is, but I do think he's good enough to be a great fit for our offense. He had terrible qbs throwing at him. Dak isn't great, but he's better than them. And he's pretty good at the deep ball.

 

[Acceptablename]

If Pickens can become what Tee Higgins or DeVonta Smith is, the trade will be excellent. The one red flag I have relating to football is his catch percentage. A top-tier #2 should have a high catch percentage, showing the defense that he is more of a threat. Pickens has three years into his career, and his catch percentage has decreased every year, unlike Higgins and Smith.

Tee Higgins:
2020-62%
2021-67.3%
2022-67.9%
2023-55.3%
2024-67%
Five-year average: 64.5%

DeVonta Smith:
2021-61.5%
2022-69.9%
2023-72.3%
2024-76.4%
Four-year average: 69.8%

George Pickens:
2022: 61.9%
2023: 59.4%
2024: 57.3%
Three-year average: 59.4%

I know Pickens had to operate as the #1 in Pittsburgh, so that may or may not affect his stats in ways you think. But any way you slice it, that is not a good percentage. To put this into perspective, here are the #1's for Higgins and Smith. Ja'Marr Chase catches at 67.9% average, AJ Brown's last two years in Philly are 68.1%. CeeDee's five-year average is 68.9%. Pickens should be able to have a catch percentage around 66%.

I already see people posting that we have a top five one-two duo in the league. For that to be a solid truth, Pickens should get his catch percentage up to Smith or Higgins level, or at least in the same neighborhood.

He has the talent to do so. Can he keep his head on straight and do it with Dak and our coaching staff? I can't wait to find out the answer to this question. If so, I think we make the playoffs.

Yes the quarterback play does come into the picture

 

[StarOfGlory]

the numbers lie all the time
the QBs he plays with...
interesting you do not want to talk about THEM
no Mahomes, Allen, etc

I have no worries about his ability or talent
now between the ears is another story but your OP is a joke

I also didn't mention good #2's like Addison or Waddle playing with Darnold, Tua, and whoever comes in for Tua when he gets a concussion. The only joke is you not understanding the post. There are good receivers that put up good numbers with very average QB's. Always has been, and always will.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Yes the quarterback play does come into the picture

I agree.

 

[jazzcat22]

If Pickens can become what Tee Higgins or DeVonta Smith is, the trade will be excellent. The one red flag I have relating to football is his catch percentage. A top-tier #2 should have a high catch percentage, showing the defense that he is more of a threat. Pickens has three years into his career, and his catch percentage has decreased every year, unlike Higgins and Smith.

Tee Higgins:
2020-62%
2021-67.3%
2022-67.9%
2023-55.3%
2024-67%
Five-year average: 64.5%

DeVonta Smith:
2021-61.5%
2022-69.9%
2023-72.3%
2024-76.4%
Four-year average: 69.8%

George Pickens:
2022: 61.9%
2023: 59.4%
2024: 57.3%
Three-year average: 59.4%

I know Pickens had to operate as the #1 in Pittsburgh, so that may or may not affect his stats in ways you think. But any way you slice it, that is not a good percentage. To put this into perspective, here are the #1's for Higgins and Smith. Ja'Marr Chase catches at 67.9% average, AJ Brown's last two years in Philly are 68.1%. CeeDee's five-year average is 68.9%. Pickens should be able to have a catch percentage around 66%.

I already see people posting that we have a top five one-two duo in the league. For that to be a solid truth, Pickens should get his catch percentage up to Smith or Higgins level, or at least in the same neighborhood.

He has the talent to do so. Can he keep his head on straight and do it with Dak and our coaching staff? I can't wait to find out the answer to this question. If so, I think we make the playoffs.

Look at the QB's he had in Pittsburgh. That says a lot about these stats.
Pickett, Trubisky, Fields and a fading Wilson. Rudolph, and a few others.