Ryan Clark is Still Defending His Absurd George Pickens-Justin Jefferson Take

Former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark said on television on Wednesday that second-year Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is "much more talented" than Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson.

He immediately took quite a bit of heat for that comment (ESPN tweeted a graphic with the quote), which is understandable given its absurdity.

Since then, Clark has dug in his heels to defend the take and attempt to explain what he meant. To be clear, he believes Jefferson is the best receiver in football. For Clark, there's simply a distinction between "more talented" and "better."

"(Pickens is) bigger, taller, stronger, more physical, physical gifted, faster, more explosive, jumps higher…" Clark explained in a Twitter reply. "Doesn’t mean he will ever be what JJ is, but Pickens is a more physically gifted player."

He's doubled down multiple times, even using the popular Aaron Rodgers-Tom Brady comparison to argue his point.

Dear people who are upset that I said George Pickens is more talented than Justin Jefferson you are behaving as if I said he was better.

I’ll give you another one. Aaron Rodgers is much more talented than Tom Brady.

Oh BTW Brady is the greatest to ever play the position.

If…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 18, 2023

Clark played for the Steelers but also played for LSU, Jefferson's alma mater, so it's not an issue of bias like some have suggested.

The problem here is just that Clark's explanation severely overlooks Jefferson's elite physical gifts.

"I met them both in them they were 16-17 years old," Clark tweeted in another reply. Reason one was a (5-star recruit) & other 2. Jettas the best we got, but GP’s measurables are more impressive."

That just...isn't true!

Coming out of LSU in 2020, Jefferson earned a 9.68 Relative Athletic Score. Two years later, Pickens posted a 9.36 RAS coming out of Georgia. Across seven categories, Jefferson wins in 40 time, 20-yard split, weight, vertical jump, and broad jump. Pickens is two inches taller and had a better ten-yard split. That's it. Heck, Jefferson has a longer wingspan and bigger hands, while we're at it.

Survey says https://t.co/pUdUxAgEW0 pic.twitter.com/aPgLt3pccH
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 17, 2023

Pickens is a very physically gifted receiver, there's no denying that. He's big and fast and can make all kinds of acrobatic catches. He had a solid 800-yard rookie season and might have a bright future.

But Jefferson, who is off to the best three-year start to a wide receiver's career in NFL history, is the game's top player at his position because he's unbelievably savvy AND one of the most physically gifted wideouts in the league. Jefferson has unbelievable acceleration, speed, agility, leaping ability, body control, and hands. In addition to being a "savant" — a word Clark used — Jefferson also has the entire package athletically. The combination of those two things is why he has 324 catches and 4,825 yards in just three seasons.

I understand the point Clark was trying to make about Pickens being a raw player with a ton of athleticism. But to invoke Jefferson's name in the way he did — and then double down with an argument that is factually incorrect — just makes him look foolish.

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