The Pittsburgh Steelers have an exciting new receiver to go along with Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson as George Pickens became the Steelers’ second round selection this evening. His selection however now means that the team has to add a veteran receiver soon.
There’s no denying the talent that George Pickens is talented. He can play literally any receiver spot, snatches the ball out of the air with hands and has ridiculous length. He’s also coming off an ACL tear and has had maturity issues during his time at the University of Georgia. Twice he had on-field incidents. He was ejected from a game against Georgia Tech for trading punches with a player and then was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for spraying water on a Tennessee player. These aren’t the most egregious things but they raise flags.
Here is what two NFL coaches and a scout said about new #Steelers WR George Pickens. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/HfjtSk24Mj
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) April 30, 2022
The good news here is that perhaps he has matured or is maturing and these past transgressions have been learning experiences for him. The Steelers put him through their paces on his Pro Day working closely with Wide Receivers Coach Frisman Jackson. I think I speak for all Steelers’ fans when I say I’m in no mood for another Antonio Brown or Martavis Bryant.
The bad news here is that the Steelers have zero, and I mean ZERO leadership in the wide receiver room. Chase Claypool has his own maturity issues and Diontae Johnson is technically the “elder statesman” of the position. Mike Tomlin has to add a veteran to this room asap. A Darrius Heyward-Bey type of guy that can be both a vocal leader and one who displays leadership with his actions.
All we can do as fans is support Pickens and hope that he has indeed turned the corner. He wouldn’t be the first guy to enter the NFL with “maturity issues” and he sure as hell won’t be the last. First things first however and that means a full recovery from his ACL injury. Things can build positively from there.
