NFL analyst raves on the playmaking ability of Steelers' explosive weapon
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their prowess in acquiring talent at the wide receiver position. They invested heavily in it in April's NFL draft, making two selections. George Pickens out of Georgia was the first of them in the second round back in April. He didn't start fast out of the starting block in […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their prowess in acquiring talent at the wide receiver position. They invested heavily in it in April's NFL draft, making two selections.
George Pickens out of Georgia was the first of them in the second round back in April. He didn't start fast out of the starting block in the first several weeks, but thanks to a big showing against the New York Jets in Week 4, Pickens catapulted himself into NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah's top 25 rookies list so far in 2022, landing at no. 23 in the rankings.
"Pickens, coming off his first career 100-yard game, has produced a couple “wow” highlights for the Steelers. He has extraordinary body control down the field".
Indeed Pickens has.
In Week 3 as the Steelers faced the Cleveland Browns on the road, Pickens made an insane one-handed catch near the sideline. Against the Jets last Sunday, Pickens showed off his sideline awareness once again with an incredible toe-tapping grab.
Pickens came into the NFL with quite the skill set. He has good speed to take the top off of a defense, can run the full route tree, and extends and high points the ball with his huge catch radius. Ironically, his first 100-yard game for the Steelers came when fellow rookie Kenny Pickett took over quarterback duties for Mitch Trubisky last Sunday against the Jets. The two showed chemistry immediately as Pickens caught all four of his targets from Pickett for 71 yards.
Currently, Pickens has four receptions of 20 or more yards which is third in the NFL. The key will be for Pickens to keep stretching the field to give Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool more chances for one-on-one reps, and give Calvin Austin, once he's back in action, opportunities to make big plays for the Steelers with his speed and versatility as well.
Feature image via Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
