What Jaguars HC Doug Pederson Said about George Pickens

George Pickens is becoming the bane of most team’s existence when facing the Steelers. Despite having an offense that is not producing much, Pickens still shows up at a high level. So far, he has made plays with and without Diontae Johnson and won on multiple levels and routes. It’s an evolution from last year when Pickens was strictly a vertical ball guy down the sideline. Plenty of that still exists, with more dynamic ability over the middle of the field mixed in. Adding in his YAC ability, where Pickens currently ranks ninth in the NFL, he is suddenly becoming a well-rounded weapon.

With two straight 100-yard receiving games under his belt, he will now face the unheralded but solid Jaguars secondary. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has loved watching Pickens and what he can do, and to say the least, he is impressed by the second-year man out of Georgia.

“Yeah, we took a hard look at him and all the guys in the draft,” Pederson said. “He is a good player. He’s a dominant player, he’s big and athletic, he runs well and catches the ball, he can highpoint. I think he’s about 18.5 yards per attempt, he’s had three 100-yard games this year already. They do a great job of throwing the back shoulder fade, he can run past you, he does a great job of running slants. There’s not a lot he really can’t do and he blocks well. He’s playing at a high level for them and the quarterback his very comfortable with him.”

The Jaguars secondary seems confident they can contain George Pickens. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins knows that Pickens is talented, but Jenkins and the Jaguars have seen many talented receivers. Talking to reporters about Diontae Johnson and Pickens, Jenkins respects Pickens’ game and season so far, but he believes that the Jaguars cornerbacks have something coming for Pickens.

“I think our cornerbacks do a great job with any matchup,” Jenkins said to 1010XL. “I know the receiver we have coming up, No. 14, has a high yards per catch. But, respectfully. he hasn’t played our corners yet. That’s what I’ll say on that.”

The Jaguars cornerbacks fall into the category of guys who might not be marquee names but are playing solid football. Tyson Campbell, Tre Herndon, and Darious Williams have played at a stable level. Pittsburgh will have their hands full, and Campbell has the unique experience of facing Pickens while at Georgia. So, both of these players are familiar with one another. However, Pickens is a player who believes in himself at all costs and will try to make an example out of the Jaguars cornerbacks.