George Malik Pickens Jr. (born March 4, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, winning the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship as a junior. Pickens was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
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Early life
George was born in Hoover, Alabama but grew up in nearby Birmingham. He grew up with his older brother, Chris Humes, a former cornerback for the Arkansas State Red Wolves and later the Oakland Raiders of the NFL, who is seven years his senior.
Pickens attended Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. As a senior, he had 69 receptions for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns. On November 16, 2018, Pickens had five receptions for 202 yards in what was the highest stat line of his tenure at Hoover. He played in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game. A five star recruit, he originally committed to play college football at Auburn University before flipping his commitment to the University of Georgia. He graduated from Hoover High School in June 2019.
College career
Pickens earned immediate playing time his freshman year at Georgia in 2019, leading the team in receptions (49), receiving yards (727) and receiving touchdowns (8).
In the following season Pickens caught 36 passes for 513 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns in an eight-game season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the spring of 2021, Pickens tore his ACL causing him to miss most of his junior season. He returned to play in the final four games of the year, catching just five passes, but made a crucial 52-yard reception during the first quarter in Georgia's win over Alabama in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game. The catch is what put Georgia in Alabama territory for the first time during the game, setting up a short field goal for the Bulldogs. Pickens declared for the 2022 NFL draft following the season.
Professional career
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.
He made his first professional start in the Steelers season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals where he caught one pass on three targets for three yards as the Steelers won 23–20. In Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Pickens corralled a one-handed catch while fully extending his body in the air. It was called by some the "Catch of the Year." In Week 4, against the New York Jets, he had six receptions for 102 yards in the 24–20 loss. Pickens scored his first professional touchdown during primetime in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins when he caught a seven-yard pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett. This was the Steelers' only touchdown in the game, as they lost 16–10. In Week 16, Pickens caught the game-winning touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with less than a minute remaining. He finished the 2022 season with 52 receptions for 801 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns.
In Week 2 of the 2023 season, Pickens had four receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Browns. In Week 5, against the Ravens, he had six receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown in the 17–10 win. In Week 16 against the Bengals, he had four receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a 86-yard reception for a score in the first quarter. In the following game, against the Seahawks, he had seven receptions for 131 yards in the win. He finished his second NFL season with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games and 16 starts. He finished the season leading the league in yards per reception with 18.1.
Pickens was on the receiving end of controversy throughout the 2023 season. After the Steelers' 20–16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Pickens was criticized for lacking effort on the field. Throughout the previous two games, Pickens only completed three of ten receptions for 21 yards. He followed the criticism by posting on his Instagram story the words "free me" and deleted all posts related to the Steelers. Pickens defended his post by making another post on Instagram explaining that the post was not directed at the Steelers, stating it has "[nothing] to do with football."
During Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, Pickens was again criticized for a lack of effort, most notably not blocking for running back Jaylen Warren on a potential touchdown drive near the goal line. Following the game, Pickens responded to the criticism stating he was attempting to avoid injury.
Dallas Cowboys
On May 7, 2025, the Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 76: Drew Allar) and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
In Week 2 against the New York Giants, Pickens caught nine passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a 40-37 overtime victory. In Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, Pickens hauled in eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-40 tie. In Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, he caught nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in a 30-27 loss.
In Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pickens caught nine passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in a 33-16 victory. In Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pickens caught nine passes for 146 yards and one touchdown in a 24-21 comeback victory. In Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pickens caught seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 34-17 loss.
Pickens ended the season with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, all career-highs. He was named to his first career Pro Bowl and earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors. He would later earn the Offensive MVP for his performance in the Pro Bowl.
On February 27, 2026, the Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens. He signed the tag on April 29.
Career statistics
Personal life
After being drafted by the Steelers in 2022, Pickens moved into an apartment in Pittsburgh with his older brother, Chris Humes.
On the second night of the 2022 NFL draft, Pickens was the subject of a viral meme. Dressed in a white T-shirt, blue basketball shorts, and a ski mask, commonly called a "shiesty", Pickens watched as he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round from his family's living room. His outfit, combined with his nonchalant posture, became a meme. Pickens later explained that his look was a mix of humor and frustration after not being chosen in the first round, admitting he was "a little salty". He told CBS Sports he decided to take a more relaxed approach to Day 2, skipping the formal suit he had prepared for the draft's opening night. The ski mask has since continued to be part of Pickens' on- and off-field attire.
