The most common narrative surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers at this point in the offseason is that they’re still in need of a true WR1. Fans have postulated just about every possible trade to send a big name to the 412, whether it be 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf or Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin.
However badly the Steelers could use a more trustworthy and experienced depth in the wide receiver room isn’t up for debate. Pittsburgh’s reliance on Van Jefferson or rookie Roman Wilson in the slot probably won’t cut it in the quest to be truly competitive.
Still, there’s plenty of data to indicate that the Steelers’ WR1 is already on the roster in third-year receiver George Pickens. Could the public be criminally underrated his all-star potential? The stats say, “Yes.”
Consider the following:
- George Pickens averaged a league-high 18.1 yards per reception in 2023, leading a top-four field also consisting of Brandon Aiyuk (17.9 yards/reception), Amari Cooper (17.4) and D.K. Metcalf (16.9).
- His 16.9 yards per reception average leads the league since he was drafted in 2022.
- Despite ranking 32nd in targets among all skill position players, Pickens ranked 16th in receiving yards. He just did more with less.
- Pickens had 3 receiving touchdowns of 60 or more yards in 2023 — tied with superstars Tyreek Hill and Ja’Marr Chase for the most in the league. That was the most 60+ yard receiving touchdowns by a Steelers receiver since Louis Lipps, who had four such plays in 1988.
- Four of Pickens’ five total touchdowns were scored 40+-yard plays in 2023. That was the second-most 40+ yard receiving touchdowns in the league last year, only behind Tyreek Hill.
- His lack of separation has been a point of discussion against Pickens’ ability as an elite receiver, having had the second-most tight window receptions (receptions with less than a yard of sepaestion) in the league since drafted in 2022 per NFL Next Gen Stats. However, that’s been an area of success for new QB Russell Wilson, who leads the NFL with 34 passing touchdowns while ranking second in passer rating on such throws dating back to 2018.
- Among wide receivers with 50+ targets in 2023, Pickens ranked 8th in yards after the catch per reception (6.1) and 20th in yards per route run (2.01) per PFF — both considered “stable” metrics predictive of future performance.
Once you consider all of that success despite his position on a team that struggled both in terms of consistency in quarterback play and play calling, it really seems like the public is under appreciating the potential upside of George Pickens — a former second round pick — heading into Year 3.