George Pickens established himself as a starting wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his rookie season. Pickens turned heads in the fan base, media and on the field with his almost inhuman ability to contort his body and make contested catches. He has been identified as a future star by everyone from Michael Irvin to Ben Roethlisberger and the sky seems to be the limit for the former Georgia Bulldog.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a one-handed catch ahead of Martin Emerson Jr. #23 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
A strange phenomenon is developing among a growing percentage of Steeler Nation that seems to be disregarding just how talented Pickens revealed himself to be in 2022. Pittsburgh, under Kevin Colbert, did not reach for wide receivers in the first round. The Steelers only selected one pass catcher in the first round under Colbert and that was Santonio Holmes in 2006. However, many fans are calling for the Steelers to break recent tradition to select Jordan Addison, formerly of the Pitt Panthers.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 25: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
The reality is the Steelers are probably stuck with Diontae Johnson in 2023. Johnson is an ideal bounce-back candidate but coming off a down season would probably fetch very little in return in the trade market. No current player enjoys a more hot and cold relationship with the fan base than Johnson. He has significant support and very vocal detractors. Johnson certainly has the potential to be a malcontent, but it is almost inconceivable that if he is on the roster he falls out of the starting lineup.
Assuming the pair of Pickens and Johnson develop more rapport with Kenny Pickett in the off-season, they have the potential to be one of the top duos in the league. Johnson was credited by ESPN Analytics as being the best in the NFL at getting open and Pickens was the best at coming down with the ball. If they work together to pass on just a little bit of each other’s skill set, they could be the very best tandem in the NFL.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 31: Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Steelers by necessity are set on the outside. Over the middle of the field, as constituted, Pat Freiermuth will have a full season to prove he is an elite option at tight end. Freiermuth has demonstrated exceptional hands, but his blocking must improve because the Steelers are much more likely to pass with him on the field. The former Penn State Nittany Lions product also has generated concerns about his health with multiple concussions over his first two seasons in the NFL.
The Steelers have options on the roster with Calvin Austin III who is unproven and Steven Sims who proved in the second half of the season he was capable in limited action. The secondary wide receiver free agent market and the later rounds of the NFL draft have been good for the Steelers in the recent past and it seems silly to spend a top-three draft pick on what could be your fourth or fifth option in the passing game.
The black and gold can’t afford to ignore the position but if any organization has shown it is deserving of the benefit of the doubt at wide receiver, it is the Pittsburgh Steelers. A stud offensive lineman at guard or tackle is a huge need. They have an aging defensive line, a hole at inside linebacker and would greatly benefit from a true lockdown cover corner. The Steelers are getting closer to contention, but this draft is important, and they need foundational pieces not luxury items.
If the organization feels that a wide receiver has slipped below where he should be like Pickens did last year and they pounce in the second or third round with the 49th or 80th picks, so be it. The black and gold know exactly what they are doing from the second round on in the draft. However, since 2013, depending on how you feel about Terrell Edmunds, the Steelers have missed on four of seven first-round picks. Picking your fourth option in the passing game in the first round is a recipe for number five. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin will be under a microscope on their first trip to shop for groceries.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers look to the trenches or add weapons in the draft? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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