The Pittsburgh Steelers may not return to the NFL playoffs for a while, but they have some young players they are hopeful about.
It all starts with quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had an underwhelming rookie season in 2022 but was a star in college at the University of Pittsburgh.
They also have a young breed at running back in Najee Harris, and they look forward to the debut of cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who was the No. 32 pick in April’s draft.
Pittsburgh also has another potential star in the making in wide receiver George Pickens, who had a number of highlights in 2022, including a one-handed catch against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.
What was your favorite George Pickens catch from 2022? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5VEQIeD1WT
— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2023
As a rookie last season, Pickens, a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had 801 yards and four touchdowns while starting 12 of the 17 games he appeared in.
He didn’t do well in college at the University of Georgia, in part due to a torn ACL in 2021 and the covid-19 pandemic that limited him to eight games in the 2020 campaign.
But he showed some flashes of brilliance in 2022 with the Steelers, which included a game-winning touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16.
Pickens will form a fairly deep wide receiver room next season along with Diontae Johnson and newcomer Allen Robinson II, a nine-year veteran.
The Steelers are hoping for a big jump from Pickett, as well as continued growth from Pickens and Harris so they might be able to play the role of spoiler in an ultra-competitive AFC this fall and winter.
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