ATHENS — Georgia has the best quarterback-receiver duo in the SEC, “easily,” according to advanced metrics website Pro Football Focus.
The PFF website, which grades and charts every player in every game at the NFL and FBS level, ranks Bulldogs’ incoming graduate transfer Jamie Newman and returning sophomore receiver George Pickens among the top 10 returning players in the SEC.
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was rated by PFF as the No. 1 returning player in the league.
Stingley Jr. raved about Pickens when asked by DawgNation to assess him at the College Football Playoff Media Day in January.
The PFF staff rated Newman the No. 3 returning quarterback in college football behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields earlier this offseason.
Most recently, PFF ranked Newman the No. 3 player in the SEC behind Stingley Jr. and LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
From the PFF assessment:
“No quarterback was forced to throw into a tight window more than Newman last season, and he overcame that to produce the second-highest passing grade on those throws — behind only Joe Burrow — and the third-lowest rate of uncatchable passes.
Newman’s arm strength and accuracy will give Georgia an added boost in the deep passing game, an area it was average in at best last season.
PFF noted Newman trailed only Burrow on his passing grade on throws of 20 yards or more.
Former Georgia football coach Mark Richt, now an analyst for the ACC Network, told DawgNation that Newman could fit into any kind of offense.
Of course, Newman hasn’t even won the starting job with the Bulldogs yet.
Incoming freshman Carson Beck expects to challenge, as do returning redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis and redshirt junior Stetson Bennett.
RELATED: Carson Beck making easy transition to Georgia football program
Of Pickens, PFF penned, the Bulldogs’ freshman displayed “a massive catch radius and sure-fire hands … . the man would catch any catchable ball thrown his way.”
WATCH: The Pickens Plan, LSU defensive coordinator reveals special plan for Georgia WR
Pickens was ranked No. 7 in the SEC coming off a season that saw him have the third-most catchable targets (49) without a drop last season.
Georgia football newcomer stories
Key takeaways on Georgia football newcomers
Numbers game: Comparing Jamie Newman to Jake Fromm
3 things about Georgia freshman Carson Beck
Kendall Milton making quick fit into Georgia football
Podcast: Major Burns had best reason for choosing UGA
Carson Beck making easy transition into Georgia
QB Trainer: Jamie Newman fits direction of Georgia football offense
Kirby Smart talks Broderick Jones
2020 signees best positioned to make Georgia impact
WATCH: Mark Richt gives straight-forward analysis on Jamie Newman