The Pittsburgh Steelers may not return to the NFL playoffs for a little while, but they do have some young players they’re 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 have also a young stud at running back in Najee Harris, and they’re looking 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 highlight receptions 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 choice 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 that well in college at the University of Georgia, partly 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 pretty 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 leap from Pickett, as well as continued growth from Pickens and Harris so that they can perhaps play the role of spoiler in an ultra-competitive AFC this fall and winter.
