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The Pittsburgh Steelers may have found a gem in the second round with receiver George PIckens out of Georgia. The draftee immediately made headlines when he was videotaped wearing a Nike hyperwarm cover with a white t-shirt standing a few inches from the television as he was announced as the 52nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. It was immediately clear that the Steelers had picked up a character and a star.
After arriving in Athens in 2019, Pickens received playing time his freshman year, leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. In 2021, the year Georgia won the College Football Playoff, Pickens tore his ACL and missed most of his junior season. The multiple injuries hurt his draft stock, but Pickens has proved any naysayers wrong in training camp.
After losing Ben Roethelisberger to retirement, Pittsburgh signed Bears QB Mitch Trubisky to a two-year deal while also signing University of Pitt star QB Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 Draft. The two newcomers have been competing with Ben’s backup Mason Rudolph for the number one spot on the roster come opening weekend in September.
Despite the high profile battle for quarterback, George Pickens has remained the talk of the town in Latrobe, PA where the Steelers are holding training camp at Saint Vincent College. On Wednesday’s practice, during the two minute drill with Trubisky, Pickens recorded a 30-yard catch and run followed by an impressive one-handed grab in the end zone over cornerback Levi Wallace. When asked if that was a top five catch in his career, Pickens calmly responded that it was top five in training camp, but probably eighth in his career.
The star receiver was even listed as number one on the depth chart of receivers in training camp in front of high profile names Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. His ability to separate and catch the football has been stellar. At 6’3” and 200 lbs, Pickens has proven to be an excellent pick from Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization.
“My objective in camp was just showing coaches that I’m a really nice route runner,” Pcikens said in a recent interview. “I’m just gonna keep working.”
News Joshua L Jones
Syndication Online Athens
NFL fans and Fantasy Football owners may want to be on watch for Pickens who adds depth to an already solid Steelers receiving core ahead of the 2022 season.
The season is still weeks away, but fans can get the first display of the Dawg from Georgia Saturday August 13 at 7 PM when the Steelers host the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason matchup.
