We prove that for a generic hypersurface in $\mathbb P^{2n+1}$ of degree at least $2+2/n$, the $n$-th Picard number is one. The proof is algebraic in nature and follows from certain coherent cohomology vanishing.

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic not $2,3$. Let $G$ be an exceptional simple algebraic group over $k$ of type $\F$, $^1{\E_6}$ or $\E_7$ with trivial Tits algebras. Let $X$ be a projective $G$-homogeneous variety. If $G$ is of type $\E_7$, we assume in addition that the respective parabolic subgroup is of type $P_7$. The main result of the paper says that the degree map on the group of zero cycles of $X$ is injective.