"I Know They Would Love To Have Him": Steelers Reportedly Have Big Time Interest In Prospect

As the NFL Draft draws nears, the Pittsburgh Steelers' organization is actively engaged in intensive preparations, leading to a significant volume of rumors, speculations, and widespread discussions surrounding the team's anticipated draft strategies and selections. With a multitude of positional needs that the Steelers could strategically address during this year's draft, the ultimate direction and specific choices of the front office remain closely guarded secrets, known only to a select few within the franchise's inner circle. 

Among the team's apparent concerns is the lack of a definitive starting quarterback for the upcoming season, a void that many projections suggest could be filled by the acquisition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Reports have consistently indicated that the Steelers have formally presented a contract offer to Rodgers and are currently awaiting his decision. 

However, the urgency of this response intensifies as the draft looms, presenting the Steelers with a crucial opportunity to address not only their quarterback situation, but also other pressing positional needs. This extended period of waiting for Rodgers' decision carries the potential to significantly influence and potentially complicate the Steelers' overall draft strategy, forcing them to consider various contingencies depending on Rodgers' ultimate choice. 

While the ongoing discussions surrounding the Steelers' vacant quarterback position have dominated the headlines this offseason, a parallel narrative concerning the potential departure of a current key team member has started to gain traction. 

This busy offseason for the Steelers has already seen significant roster alterations, most notably the acquisition of veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, a trade that cost the team its valuable second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. This trade has created an intriguing dynamic for the Steelers' draft strategy, leaving a considerable void in draft capital between the first and third rounds.

According to NFL Insider James Palmer, this situation could potentially signal the end of the line for talented wide receiver George Pickens in Pittsburgh. Palmer recently shared his insights and perspective on this developing situation during a livestream for Bleacher Report.

"There's a lot of people who believe George Pickens' time is limited," Palmer shared. "It's why they did the DK [Metcalf] deal. It's why they paid DK what they did. You don't pay both of them that. Do they look for a high-volume No. 2 guy like a Jayden Higgins? Man, would they love to have him. I know they would love to have him."

The Steelers may be presented with an interesting scenario if a team comes calling about Pickens and Higgins is still on the board. It's still possible that Pickens gets traded.

Jayden Higgins, a talented wide receiver from Iowa State University, showcased his impressive capabilities during his recent collegiate season, having 1,183 receiving yards and nine touchdowns for the Cyclones. Evaluated by scouts and analysts, Higgins' playing style is often characterized by his significant physical stature, his adaptability to various receiver roles, his expansive catch radius, and his consistently dependable hands. 

Projecting into the professional level, Higgins is generally viewed as a possession receiver who has the traits to be a reliable target in congested areas of the field and a substantial threat in the red zone. Several scouting reports have drawn comparisons between his style of play and that of established NFL receivers such as Tee Higgins and Kenny Golladay, specifically highlighting his similar size and effectiveness in the red zone. 

As the upcoming NFL Draft approaches, Higgins is widely considered a potential selection in the second round or early third. Nevertheless, the ultimate draft order, along with all other draft prospects, remains subject to the diverse positional needs and strategic priorities of each individual NFL team, ensuring that the true dynamics and surprises of the draft will only fully unfold on draft day itself.

Have The Steelers Given Pickens A Fair Chance?

In contrast, Pickens entered the Steelers' organization after being selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which represented the Steelers' second-round choice that year, coming out of the University of Georgia. Throughout his time with the Steelers, Pickens has demonstrated his receiving abilities, accumulating a total of 2,841 receiving yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. 

While his statistical output might not align with that of some of the league's premier wide receivers, a contributing factor to this could be the Steelers' lack of a consistently established franchise quarterback during his time with the team. 

Notably, Pickens was drafted in the same year that the Steelers selected Kenny Pickett in the first round, a quarterback whose performance did not quite meet the organization's initial expectations. However, a significant area of concern surrounding Pickens, and one that has divided the Steelers' fan base, revolves around his personality and on-field demeanor.

At this point, all discussions surrounding Pickens' future with the Steelers remain purely speculative until an official announcement or transaction occurs. It is currently unknown whether the Steelers' organization harbors a genuine interest in trading Pickens or if they envision a successful receiving corps comprised of both Metcalf and Pickens. 

A significant portion of the Steelers' fanbase believes that this pairing could indeed be highly effective, despite the fact that both Metcalf and Pickens primarily operate as outside receivers. Both players possess the capability to generate impactful plays downfield, exhibiting a blend of speed and physical power that makes them dangerous threats to opposing defenses. 

Furthermore, both Pickens and Metcalf are known for their strong personalities and occasional displays of on-field temperaments. This shared characteristic could potentially foster a dynamic and competitive environment, or alternatively, it could introduce the risk of interpersonal challenges within the team. Ultimately, only time will reveal whether the potential collaboration between Metcalf and Pickens blossoms into a strong offensive force or becomes a source of internal friction for the Steelers.

Do you want to see Metcalf and Pickens together this season? Or do you want to see Pickens get traded and draft someone like Higgins instead? Let us know in the comments below!

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