The NFL world is lowkey disrespecting George Pickens even amid the hype surrounding Cowboys wide receiver
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens is having a better year than you think.
The Dallas Cowboys play the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving in a matchup expected to set a new NFL TV rating record. There are many reasons for it, including the fact that it’s a holiday, and this is looking like a playoff matchup for both squads walking into Week 13 with five losses apiece.
Among other reasons, however, I’d dare to say football fans will be tuning in to watch George Pickens, who is making an unexpected case to become the highest-paid wide receiver in football next offseason. The Cowboys themselves have admitted Pickens — who ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards and third in touchdowns — has exceeded every expectation they set for him.
The hype is real with Pickens. He’s a star receiver doing much more than he ever did with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And at 24, his career is only beginning. And yet, there’s some disrespect going around for Pickens in the NFL world. And it has everything to do with the oddsmakers.
Pickens isn’t considered a serious Offensive Player of the Year candidate?
According to at least three different sportsbooks, Pickens ranks ninth or worse in OPOY betting odds. That is awfully low for the year he’s having. He ranks below multiple running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks. That’s unfair to Pickens’ season so far. Entering Week 13, the only wide receiver with more yards is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And though the Seahawks WR has been elite this year, Pickens has him beat in multiple categories.
According to Sports Info Solutions, Pickens has Smith-Njigba beat in total EPA (1st), EPA per target (1st), success rate, explosive play rate (2nd), and first down rate (3rd). In other words, Pickens might have fewer receiving yards, but they has been more valuable to the Cowboys than Smith-Njigba.
How is dominating the numbers like that not enough to rank higher in the OPOY odds? Do oddsmakers believe he won’t keep it up? Or have they failed to realize the sheer dominance he’s shown on the field?
There’s a long way to go before the season is over, but it sure feels like Pickens should be higher up on the list. If the Cowboys put together a serious run over their last six games of the season while Pickens keeps up his career year, we might see the experts react. For now, if you’re a betting man or woman, it might be time to take a flyer on his odds to win the award.
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