George Pickens has been turning heads since he entered the league in 2022 due to his athleticism and penchant for spectacular catches. Now that he’s been traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2025 NFL season, even more eyes will be on the 24-year-old wide receiver to see how he further develops. But how is he represented in Madden 26?
Much like we did with Dak Prescott (and will be doing with other high-profile players), we’ll be assessing George Pickens’ attributes in Madden 26, his strengths/weaknesses, how he compares to his fellow wide receivers, and whether or not his OVR rating is fair.
George Pickens’ Madden 26 Ratings Overview
George Pickens enters Madden 26 with an 83 overall rating, a solid mark that places him just outside of the top tier of wide receivers in the game. Known for his highlight-reel catches and explosive playmaking ability, Pickens’ in-game attributes reflect the physical tools that make him one of the most exciting wideouts in the league.
His notable ratings include 91 speed, 94 acceleration, 92 agility, and an incredible 98 spectacular catch, clearly painting the picture of a receiver who thrives in contested situations and can make defenders look silly downfield. With 96 jumping and 91 catch in traffic, he’s more than capable of winning those 50/50 plays in single coverage.
Unfortunately, he lacks in the route-running department. Granted, his numbers in that category are respectable: 84 short, 83 medium, and 84 deep. However, his 76 release rating may hold him back slightly against elite press corners. Still, his combination of speed, size, and catch radius makes him a unique weapon in the game.
How George Pickens Plays In Madden 26
In Madden 26, Pickens plays exactly how you’d expect if you’ve watched him on Sundays — as a big-play threat who can absolutely Moss defenders with grabs.
Thanks to his 98 spectacular catch and 96 jumping, Pickens thrives in vertical passing attacks. Just toss it up, and there’s a good chance he’ll come down with it. His 91 speed and 94 acceleration allow him to separate on go routes and posts, especially against slower DBs or in single coverage.
What makes him more than just a deep threat in Madden 26 is his underrated elusiveness after the catch. With 91 change of direction, 80 juke move, and 78 spin move, Pickens can be a sneaky YAC option in open space. His 84 BC vision also helps on screens and quick slants.
However, players should be cautious with his 72 carrying and 73 break tackle. While he’s elusive, he’s not a power runner — fumbles can happen if you’re not careful in traffic.
Is George Pickens’ Player Rating Fair Based On The 2024 NFL Season?
An 83 overall rating for George Pickens is, on paper, respectable. Despite possessing an extreme amount of raw talent, Pickens is coming off a bit of a down year. In 2024, Pickens amassed 900 yards on 59 receptions and only had 3 touchdowns all season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was a step down from his 2023 season, in which Pickens collected 1,140 yards, 63 receptions, and 5 touchdowns. Granted, the Steelers’ quarterback situation was a nightmare, but it was a down year for Pickens nonetheless.
With all of that said, Pickens is obviously an incredibly talented receiver with an extremely high ceiling. He’s also saved by the fact that Madden doesn’t seem to have any attributes when it comes to “crashing out.” So, I’d say 83 is fair.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 11, 2024
THREAD…#Steeelrs star receiver GEORGE PICKENS BEING A MENACE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD
1) PICKENS YANKING THE DB TO THE GROUND BY HIS FACEMASK
CRASHOUT #1pic.twitter.com/6yQvZfiCaF
George Pickens Vs. Other Top WRs In Madden 26
With an 83 overall, George Pickens finds himself in the middle of a tightly packed group of mid-80s wide receivers in Madden 26. These players might not be in the elite tier with the likes of Justin Jefferson or Tyreek Hill, but they can absolutely take over a game in the right system.
So, how does Pickens compare to the receivers in his immediate rating neighborhood? Let’s take a look at some of the wideouts between the 82 and 84 OVRs.
| Player | OVR | SPD | STR | AGI | ACC | AWR | CTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Thomas Jr | 84 | 97 | 59 | 88 | 91 | 93 | 85 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 84 | 91 | 64 | 92 | 92 | 87 | 85 |
| Jordan Addison | 84 | 90 | 52 | 88 | 91 | 90 | 89 |
| Ladd McConkey | 84 | 92 | 57 | 91 | 93 | 89 | 84 |
| Deebo Samuel Sr | 83 | 91 | 80 | 89 | 89 | 88 | 81 |
| George Pickens | 83 | 91 | 61 | 92 | 91 | 85 | 86 |
| Jakobi Meyers | 83 | 89 | 62 | 87 | 84 | 91 | 82 |
| Rashee Rice | 83 | 90 | 71 | 85 | 87 | 90 | 85 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 82 | 89 | 75 | 87 | 84 | 93 | 80 |
| Jameson Williams | 82 | 98 | 63 | 95 | 94 | 91 | 80 |
| Khalil Shakir | 82 | 90 | 63 | 85 | 86 | 88 | 87 |
| Michael Pittman Jr | 82 | 89 | 71 | 84 | 83 | 88 | 81 |
| Tank Dell | 82 | 92 | 50 | 90 | 93 | 82 | 84 |
Pickens slots right in with this group and holds his own across the board. While he doesn’t have the blazing speed of a Brian Thomas Jr. or Jameson Williams, his combination of elite agility, acceleration, and catching attributes (especially that spectacular catch rating) sets him apart in certain areas.
To put it simply, Pickens isn’t the most dynamic or well-rounded wide receiver in his OVR range, but he’s arguably the most dangerous when the ball is in the air. And, as most of you know, that’s of massive value in Madden games.
Tips For Using George Pickens In Madden 26
Now that he’s on the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens will no longer be looked to as a WR1. Instead, he will surely be playing second fiddle to CeeDee Lamb, one of the best receivers in the NFL right now. I don’t see why this would be any different in Madden 26.
That said, he’s among the best WR2s you could possibly find. And one that can legitimately take over the game if Lamb is being doubled up. He should certainly be a threat on vertical routes and crossers that provide YAC opportunities.
Final Verdict: Overrated, Underrated, Or Just Right?
Honestly? I think George Pickens having an 83 OVR rating in Madden 26 is completely fair. Yes, he has a ton of potential and possesses all of the talent in the world. But there are a bunch of fundamentals that Pickens must gain over the next few seasons if he wants to ascend to the top tier of wideouts in the NFL.
What about you? Do you think Pickens is fairly rated? Do you think he’s underrated or overrated? Let us know in the comments!
