Steelers' Matt Canada reveals how long Pittsburgh has been eyeing George Pickens
After going quarterback in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers focused their second round selection on a potentially instant-impact player in former Georgia wide receiver George Pickens that can help Kenny Pickett out wide.
“Coming out of (the 2020 season), getting early draft prep, we thought he was the best wideout coming out,” Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. “But he had a tough injury through the spring but battled to come back and play late in the year for (Georgia). We were able to go to his Pro Day, and (Pickens) was impressive beyond belief. He showed no signs of any injury or anything that way, so we’re really excited to be able to get him at any point in the draft. We were fired up about that.”
Pickens would only play 20 games for Georgia, but still managed to haul in 85 passes for 1,240 yards (14.6 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. A torn ACL ended his season before it started, but instead of taking an aggressive approach to rehab and return to action, the former Bulldogs wideout instead aired on the side of caution and only had five receptions on the season.
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After being forced to the sideline for nearly the entirety of last season due to recovery, Pickens stock dropped tremendously, but Georgia head coach Kirby Smart had nothing but great things to say about his former star wideout and detailed how his game will translate to the NFL with the Steelers.
“Well, first thing get back on the field, right? So like there was a brief stay there with his ACL, it was unfortunate.” Smart said prior to night one of the draft. “He didn’t get to have the kind of year he wanted to have, he would have had any electric year because of the kind of player he is. The most important thing is that he gets back healthy and he gets on a good team and a good organization.
“There are some catches that have been made in practices, and all our kids will tell you — all those guys drafted tonight will tell you they have seen him do some amazing things on the football field. I think he’s grown up a lot since being here, and I’m excited to see where he goes.”
Pickens now has the lofty task of replacing some of the production left by the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Ray-Ray McCloud. Chase Claypool needs help next season in Pittsburgh, and it seems to have come in the form of the former Georgia star.