Ryan Clark: George Pickens ‘More Talented’ Than Justin Jefferson

Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark has been up to Latrobe for training camp and has seen the 2023 team up close and personal. However, his latest take regarding his old team might be the boldest take he has yet for the season. Talking about George Pickens and where the receiver could go in the context of the Steelers’ offense, and Clark is high on him as most people are, but his claim to back that up raised eyebrows.

Appearing on NFL Live, Dan Orlovsky broke down what Kenny Pickett brings to the table. Then, Clark, on top of that, talked about Pickens. His claim? George Pickens is a much more talented wide receiver innately than Minnesota Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, left, avoids a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis while scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

“I’m gonna say this as an LSU guy talking about another LSU guy and comparing him to a Georgia guy, George Pickens is much more talented than Justin Jefferson,” Clark said. “Justin Jefferson understands playing everything at the position from stems, leverage, catching the ball, he’s a savant. But here’s the other thing, and Coach Tomlin told me something that I thought was great, he said they didn’t even work to tolerate him, and they certainly didn’t try to raise him at Georgia. They didn’t embrace who George Pickens is.”

Clark is making a bold claim here, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for Clark saying Pickens is better than Jefferson. He just means in terms of raw talent, Pickens has more than Jefferson. Of course, even that is a really bold claim given the fact that Jefferson has a great argument as the best receiver in the NFL. But Clark is banking on elite traits and athleticism with Pickens that can appear, at times, otherworldly. He has to work to master the position to the same level that Jefferson already has at this point. Regardless, of the talent level of Pickens aside, he seems in a great position to make a second-year leap.