Pickens #2 in the NFL

[NorthCoast]

I wonder if there's some kind of breakdown for who each WR faces. My guess is that DJ usually gets the better CB.

I thought the breakdown of Pickens said he was really good against man, but bad against zone? Also think it said he was good running fades and go routes, but bad at in breaking routes. But that he mostly ran fades and go routes and not much in-breaking.

Here's the video, but I didn't rewatch it today to double check. Talks about the "Reception Perception" review of Pickens from last season. IIRC it breaks down how he did against man and zone, and how he did in certain routes.

Pickens was good against man and zone defenses. Not a huge difference in catch %. What is crazy to me is that DJ got almost twice the targets in man coverage than Pickens did. Add to this that GP's catch % was better than DJ's against both man and zone. The targeting seems upside down. Was GP being doubled in man while DJ was singled? Or did KP not like GP's routes?

Also, on crossing routes Pickens gained an average of 5 yds more per reception than DJ. He needs to get the ball more at the expense of DJ.

[Mr.wizard]

Pickens was good against man and zone defenses. Not a huge difference in catch %. What is crazy to me is that DJ got almost twice the targets in man coverage than Pickens did. Add to this that GP's catch % was better than DJ's against both man and zone. The targeting seems upside down. Was GP being doubled in man while DJ was singled? Or did KP not like GP's routes?

Also, on crossing routes Pickens gained an average of 5 yds more per reception than DJ. He needs to get the ball more at the expense of DJ.

I think probably has to do with getting "open", Pickens is an amazing catcher of the football, but it could be Pickett just didn't have enough trust with Pickens to throw those 50/50 type balls with regularity.

[WindyCitySteel]

Pickens was good against man and zone defenses. Not a huge difference in catch %. What is crazy to me is that DJ got almost twice the targets in man coverage than Pickens did. Add to this that GP's catch % was better than DJ's against both man and zone. The targeting seems upside down. Was GP being doubled in man while DJ was singled? Or did KP not like GP's routes?

Also, on crossing routes Pickens gained an average of 5 yds more per reception than DJ. He needs to get the ball more at the expense of DJ.

When the top 3 priorities of every play are "don't turn the ball over", the safest option is likely the one most taken.

[whisper]

When the top 3 priorities of every play are "don't turn the ball over", the safest option is likely the one most taken.

[Blitzer]

our WR?s would run out of bounds or backwards on that play.

Yeah. KP probably tells them to. He sucks. lets cut him

[NorthCoast]

There is a prop bet on Pickens' TDs in 2023. It's currently at 9.5.

I would bet the under. The Steelers have a lot of mouths to feed with the ball this year.

[Northern_Blitz]

Pickens was good against man and zone defenses. Not a huge difference in catch %. What is crazy to me is that DJ got almost twice the targets in man coverage than Pickens did. Add to this that GP's catch % was better than DJ's against both man and zone. The targeting seems upside down. Was GP being doubled in man while DJ was singled? Or did KP not like GP's routes?

Also, on crossing routes Pickens gained an average of 5 yds more per reception than DJ. He needs to get the ball more at the expense of DJ.

I think the difference might be that you're looking at plays where he was thrown to and the analysis in the video says it looks at all snaps?

[NorthCoast]

I think the difference might be that you're looking at plays where he was thrown to and the analysis in the video says it looks at all snaps?

May also have to do with the routes run. DJ was #2 in the NFL in snaps and #1 in targets on 3,4, and 5 routes combined. GP was 23rd in snaps and 52nd in targets. OTOH, GP was #1 in snaps on 7,8, 9 routes combined, and #7 in targets. GP had a 53% catch rate on these routes, DJ 10%.