I'm no expert but read a lot (more than needed) on tone woods and such. This is one time I think wood does matter. Cedar is softer than spruce, by a lot. Everything I've read says using a pick is a no no. You can strum just use thumb and finger tips, they are more designer for classical play which is finger style and usually play softly so the cedar gives more nuance. I want to think that I've read that cedar tops may also be thinner but don't hold me to that.

In the end it's yours play how you want, if I wanted cedar and to use picks, I'd have a pickguard installed to stop the chance of rubbing a hole in the top. I've also never been the type who digs in with the pick, have friends that do though, lol.