Over the primary two seasons of his NFL profession, it was simple to take a look at George Pickens and surprise what his potential might be in a reliable offensive system with quarterback. He, in fact, had neither of these two issues with QBs Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph in addition to offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Now he has Russell Wilson and Arthur Smith, a really clear improve in each areas.
“When you’re a Steelers fan, you’re lastly saying ‘Man, we’re getting the most effective out of George Pickens proper now,’” former Steelers OL Willie Colon stated Monday by way of FS1’s Breakfast Ball. “There was a big a part of this season, we thought, ‘Man, we’re losing a generational expertise as a result of we’ve Justin Fields at quarterback.’ And that isn’t a knock on Justin Fields, however proper now the Russ-Pickens connection is what’s making this offense go alongside with the run sport. So it’s a must to be extraordinarily enthusiastic about what Russell’s doing proper now.”
Pickens has very clearly skilled a bump in his manufacturing with Wilson at quarterback. Over the primary six video games, he had 26 receptions for 363 yards and 0 touchdowns. Over the past three video games, he has 14 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He’s on tempo for roughly 76 receptions and 1,207 yards. He was pacing behind final 12 months’s numbers with Fields at quarterback, however he’s now pacing forward of final 12 months in each metric however touchdowns, which ought to change down the stretch.
Within the Week 10 win, Pickens had 5 receptions for 91 yards and a landing. That one landing he had was the proper show of his distinctive physique management and athleticism as he twisted his physique and reached out to catch the ball.
Pickens has a private objective of garnering among the particular person accolades like Professional Bowl and even All-Professional honors. He’s now ninth in complete yards with the vast majority of the receivers forward of him having performed an additional sport at this level within the season. He’s in place to inch towards the highest 5 for receiving yards.
Whereas I agree that the Steelers are lastly getting higher manufacturing out of Pickens, I don’t suppose they’re getting “the most effective” out of him like Colon suggests. There may be nonetheless some meat on that bone. Maybe Mike Williams getting extra concerned within the offense and groups being compelled to pay extra consideration to him will bump Pickens as much as that subsequent degree. He’s solely had three regular-season video games with Wilson, too. Their chemistry will proceed to enhance.
