Steelers WR George Pickens can remind Chiefs of the team's biggest mistake in the 2022 NFL draft in Week 17
He's back. After missing the last three games, Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens is off the injury report and set to return on Christmas day. In doing so, he has a chance to remind the Chiefs of a mistake they made a few years ago: George Pickens can remind Chiefs fans of draft mistake Lots […]
He's back.
After missing the last three games, Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens is off the injury report and set to return on Christmas day.
In doing so, he has a chance to remind the Chiefs of a mistake they made a few years ago:
George Pickens can remind Chiefs fans of draft mistake
Lots of fans wanted [George] Pickens. KC traded back with the New England Patriots. They [fans] were Ok with the Skyy Moore pick at the time, but seeing how their careers have since gone, it's a big game of hindsight that Chiefs fans are mad about. They [Kansas City] traded out of pick 50. The Patriots took Tyquan Thornton. Steelers took Pickens at 52. KC took Moore at 54.
– Charles Goldman, Managing Editor A to Z Sports Kansas City
As Goldman said, it's all hindsight now, but if we are being honest, Pickens wasn't even supposed to be selected in the range of players like Thornton and Moore. He might have been the best pure talent in the class, and he has performed up to that level when on the field.
The reason the Chiefs and 31 other teams were hesitant to touch Pickens is because of exactly what we have seen in terms of his antics. The fines, the unprofessionalism, and overall lack of maturity have clouded a career that is off to a great start, and projected to be even better given the fact that Pickens is only 23.
But Pickens has yet to grow up, no matter how much the Steelers and HC Mike Tomlin have pleaded with him or punished him for his actions:
'He's just gotta grow up," said Tomlin when asked about George Pickens penalties during the Bengals game a few weeks back. "This is an emotional game man. "These divisional games are big. He's got a target on his back because he's George. He understands that, but he's got to grow up. He's got to grow up in a hurry."
That being said, Kansas City has the culture and leadership to handle a character like Pickens, and while they have done just fine with Moore given their back-to-back Super Bowls, Pickens would be a big help in their quest for a three-peat.
We'll see if Pickens reminds them of that on Christmas.
