Pickens is a rare weapon. The guy makes so many incredible catches, week-after-week. The last guy that I remember seeing do these kinds of things was prime Randy Moss.
I know people will get riled up about that comparison but that is how I see it.
When the ball is in the air, other team’s fans (and other teams) are just holding their breath and breaking out in a cold sweat because more times than not, Pickens is going to get the ball and end up embarrassing your DB’s.
Hell, he even did it in the pro bowl (flag football).
No other WR is even close to GP and how he tracks and catches the ball. There are some great WR’s in the league - including Lamb - but none of them have anything close to the knack that Pickens has for finding the ball and catching it in some absurd way.
To me, GP is incredibly valuable because he is such a chain mover and touchdown maker that he can make a huge difference between a win and a loss. What he brings to the offense can’t really be replaced by anyone, IMO. Nobody else consistently finds and catches the ball like he does.
If the defense is much better and doesn’t lose games on its own, like last year, I think we’re going to see just how valuable Pickens can be. And like I said, I don’t think he can be replaced because nobody else can even do what he does on those 50/50 balls.
Anyway, I think he is being way undervalued by everyone. It is incredible what he can do. When the ball is up and he’s locked in on it, you just know that guy is going to come down with it.
GP opposite Lamb must be a nightmare for defensive coordinators.