Former NFL scout doubts George Pickens’ ability to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' number-one weapon
Part of the reason the Pittsburgh Steelers have been so heavily tied to WR trade rumors is because George Pickens is the only proven threat in the WR room. Just scratching the surface on what he can become in this league, Pickens led the league in yards per catch in 2023 despite having plenty of […]
Part of the reason the Pittsburgh Steelers have been so heavily tied to WR trade rumors is because George Pickens is the only proven threat in the WR room.
Just scratching the surface on what he can become in this league, Pickens led the league in yards per catch in 2023 despite having plenty of issues surrounding him on offense.
Yet, according to NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah, Pickens is best served as a side to the main course:
Pickens not a #1?
“I think when you look at George Pickens, I think he best complements as a number two who’s going to give you the big explosives,” Jeremiah said on the Move The Sticks podcast. “But I think it’s going to be a little bit inconsistent, a little bit up and down. I think he profiles perfectly as a number two receiver there.”
While I would have to agree with Jeremiah on what Pickens has shown to this point, I think it's a little shortsighted when forecasting his future. Not only is he only 23 years old and heading into his third year, but he played for what was objectively, one of the worst offenses in NFL history, and has shown development as a route runner.
But where Jeremiah does make a great point, is why Pittsburgh needs to acquire another WR to help Pickens' development.
"I do think that of these teams, man, Pittsburgh Steelers, they have the room for it, both money wise and position wise, here for a number one to bring in the room,” Jeremiah added.
“They’ve been really really good at developing their own. But having that one guy, an established veteran, that can come in and maybe slide into the number one role while Pickens is kind of serving that apprenticeship might be something that the Pittsburgh Steelers want to do,” Jeremiah said. “Because remember, they want to run the football and they’re trying to revive Russell Wilson and Justin Fields’ career. At some point, you still want playmakers on the perimeter that can help all of those things be accomplished.”
Pickens' development will be thwarted if he is the only viable option on the perimeter. Teams will roll coverage to him, and dare Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, or even Calvin Austin III to beat them.
So if Pickens is to live up to his potential and become Batman, he needs Robin.
