The Pittsburgh Steelers have a potential budding superstar in second-year wide receiver, George Pickens. The University of Georgia standout made some electrifying plays during his first season in the NFL in 2022, but the team came under fire for his usage from some pundits. Former Carolina Panthers two-time First Team All-Pro receiver, Steve Smith Sr., had the chance to watch Pickens up close during his visit to training camp and posited a theory as to why they might've held him back in year one.
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Steelers' George Pickens watches from the sideline with Head Coach Mike Tomlin out in front of him.
Smith said on his podcast Cut To It that Pickens didn't have the greatest practice habits during his first season in the league, which is why he thinks the team didn't unleash him like some wanted them to. Smith added that what Pickens was doing in practice his rookie season might've been fine for a college coach, but was certainly not enough for Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
The team acquired veteran receiver Allen Robinson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams back in April to add some much-needed depth to the unit. General Manager Omar Khan revealed during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show that Robinson's leadership and professionalism have been rubbing off on Pickens.
Smith said that Diontae Johnson was one of the hardest workers he saw at the team's training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Being around two guys like Johnson and Robinson who are constantly working to perfect their craft has got to have an influence on how Pickens practices going forward.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson turns up field after catching a pass from Kenny Pickett in training camp.
Tomlin said earlier in the offseason that he was looking for "great growth" out of Pickens and quarterback Kenny Pickett in their second years as professionals. He elaborated that for Pickens that means making routine plays routinely. Smith said that for Pickens, the routine is spectacular.
"His routine plays and the catches for Pickens are Pro Bowl and lifetime catches for other receivers," he said. "It's an above-average day in the Pickens neighborhood the way he catches the ball and his ability to position himself."
Smith referenced a specific play he saw where Pickens made a catch against veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson that was emblematic of his skills to position himself to make plays. Smith said that Peterson had his arms extended out and Pickens was able to patiently wait for the ball to pass underneath him. He added that Pickens didn't even extend his hands out. He let the ball drop right into his body and did not let Peterson make a play on it.
Steelers' Pickens Is Not The Number 1 In Pittsburgh Yet
Some are wondering whether Pickens will surpass Johnson as the Steelers leading receiver in 2023 and Smith said that he believes that the more veteran Johnson still holds that title. He did say however, that because of Pickens' talent, Johnson's position as the top guy is "on notice." He said that Pickens is still figuring things out as a 22-year-old, who is still one of the youngest guys on the roster.
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Steelers' Diontae Johnson will be expected to bounce back to his previous levels after a full offseason working with Kenny Pickett.
Johnson is now in his fifth season, and in addition to his work ethic, Smith noted that he has excellent footwork. The 2021 Pro Bowler had a disappointing 2022 season, but after working on his connection with Pickett in the summer, he should be able to bounce back onto his upward trajectory.
Whether it is Johnson or Pickens who emerges as the top receiver for the Steelers is going to be an interesting storyline to watch in 2023. Former legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hypothesized recently that opposing teams will try to send their top cornerbacks to defend Pickens, which will open up his former teammate, Johnson, for a big year.
Pickens might draw more social media attention with his ability to make those routine catches look super-human, but Johnson also seems primed for a bounce-back. If all goes according to the plan, Pittsburgh could have two receivers on Pro Bowl rosters for the first time since Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster did it in 2018.
What did you think of Smith's assessment of the Steelers' top two pass catchers? Will Johnson be surpassed as the number one? Comment below!
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