The Steelers Have A Star Forming Right Before Their Eyes

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known as a wide receiver factory for some time now, being able to find guys outside the first round of the draft. Excellent receivers and end up being first-round talents. The most recent homegrown masterpiece Pittsburgh fans are seeing right before their eyes, is the man entering his third season, George Pickens .

Starting Strong

Pickens is still only 23 years old, but he has two very solid NFL seasons under his belt. He hasn’t even gotten a chance to play with a real quarterback. That changes this season, hopefully. Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will comfortably be the best setup he’s had throwing him the ball regardless of who it is.

In his rookie season, Pickens caught 52 passes for 801 receiving yards, and four touchdowns while averaging 15.4 yards per reception, good for eighth in the NFL. Pickens only had one game over 100 yards in his rookie season, coming in week four against the Jets.

Pickens got after it even more last season when he caught 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an NFL-leading 18.1 yards per reception. Pickens put the league on notice last season, having five games in particular that stand out.

In week two against the Browns, Pickens caught four passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Then, in week five against the Ravens he caught six passes for 130 yards and a game-winning touchdown. In week seven he caught five passes for 107 yards before remaining quiet until the end of the season. Fast forward to week 16 where Pickens put up 195 yards and two touchdowns on just four receptions and week 17 when he caught seven passes and 131 yards.

Pickens even had a game last season where he finished with negative receiving yards, week nine against the Titans, he caught two passes for -1 yard. That shows you the rollercoaster that Pickens has been on in his young career in Pittsburgh. Between quarterbacks and playcalling, he couldn’t win any which way.

Steelers Excited About The Chance For Growth

With Diontae Johnson sent packing for Carolina, Pickens is officially the top dawg in Pittsburgh. He even worked out with Johnson this offseason, along with famous trainer RouteGod, a trainer who specializes in wide receiver work. Pickens was also snubbed from the Pro Bowl last season, so he’s extra hungry.

Now that Pickens will be the featured player in an offense run by anybody not named Matt Canada , he has a real chance to be something. Pair that with the fact that the Steelers finally have something exciting at the quarterback position, and the sky is the limit for George Pickens and the Steelers’ new offense. Get this guy 10 targets a game and see what happens. He may even be the best pass catcher in Pittsburgh since Antonio Brown. They need to make sure he’s happy.