NFL player comparisons for Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens

Most likely NFL comparison: DeVante Parker

DeVante Parker isn’t a player who is often talked about, but it’s not like the former first-round pick has had a bad NFL career. In his second season back in 2014, Parker earned 744 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on a struggling Dolphins offense. In 2019, Parker recorded 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and 9 touchdowns.

While his production as a whole has been underwhelming for a former first-round draft choice, he was doing all of this despite not ever having the benefit of great quarterback play. Parker doesn’t offer tons of shiftiness or explosion after the catch, but he is smooth for a big wide receiver (6’3”, 209 lbs.) and he excels at the catch point.

Though I would bet on George Pickens having the better career path of the two (mainly because of the great organization he wound up with) I do think that he and DeVante Parker have remarkably similar size, athletic traits, and skillsets. This is my most likely NFL player comparison for Pickens in the NFL.

It will be interesting to see if the Steelers second-round pick can reach his upside at the next level. Pickens has dealt with injuries and suspensions, so I do think the floor is lower than most fans assume, but if he can stay healthy and clean off the field, there’s no reason why he can’t be a DeVante Parker-level player or higher in the NFL.