Steelers Selecting Wide Receiver In First Round May Lead To Colossal Issue For George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for having divas within their wide receiver rooms over the past decade, with stars like Antonio Brown, Santonio Holmes, Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and most recently, Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. With the Steelers in a tough spot in the 2024 offseason regarding the center position and the wide receiver spot, the Steelers taking a wideout early in the draft may make a familiar face in Pittsburgh uncomfortable. 

With the 2024 NFL Draft coming up in April, the Steelers have very specific positional groups they plan to attack in the draft. Obviously the offensive line has been an issue the past couple seasons, but it has improved at some spots. Pittsburgh still needs a top notch center and another offensive tackle. Aside from that offensively, the only spot that needs help is the receiving room. After trading Johnson, Pickens remains as one of the only proven receivers on the roster. 

With the draft consisting of a plethora of talented wideouts this year, the Steelers have no choice but to consider stealing one of them early on. However, given Pickens' track record, taking a receiver in the first round may bring some questions to Pickens. Brian Batko recently said on 93.7 The Fan how he believes Pickens would handle a new first round receiver coming into town. 

Pickens stands alone has a certified starting receiver in a room that has Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Miles Boykin. While these guys are fine for depth, none of them have earned a spot as wide receiver one or two for the Steelers. After it seemed that the Steelers would land a big name either via free agency or trade, nothing has happened to this point. The longer this seems to wait off, the more likely it seems the Steelers plan to attack at wide receiver in the draft. 

Pickens wants to win, and he wants the ball. After two seasons in the Steel City, Pickens has had his fair share of temper tantrums on the sidelines during games where the Steelers' offense seems unwatchable. Understandable, but characteristics like this can only help imagine how Pickens would feel if the Steelers brought in a first round wide receiver. Granted, Pickens will more than likely be the go to wide receiver anyway and is more talented than anyone they are likely to land. Unless Pittsburgh makes a massive trade to move up in the draft and takes one of the top three receivers, Pickens shouldn't worry. 

Steelers Have Other Issues At Offensive Line That Could Be Addressed In First Round

The Steelers are hoping to secure their next generational center, and many are hoping the Steelers are able to land Oregon product Jackson Powers-Johnson with their twentieth pick. The Steelers have been in desperate need of a star center ever since Maurkice Pouncey officially retired in 2021.

Along with center, the Steelers have struggled at offensive tackle ever since Dan Moore Jr. slid into the starting spot. First year Broderick Jones showed promise that he can be the future at one of the tackle spots, but the other has a big question mark. Once the Steelers have an established and complete offensive line as well as a quality wide receiver two behind Pickens, the Steelers' offense will be fully complete and ready to do some damage. 

What do you think? How will Pickens respond if the Steelers draft a wide out in the first round? Let us know in the comments.

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