Pittsburgh fans react to Steelers’ second-rounder George Pickens

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on April 29, 2022

Despite another flurry of trades as the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft heated up, “Steelers Nation” was rewarded for their nervous patience when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Georgia wide receiver George Pickens. The reactions were much more positive on Friday night from Steelers fans, especially those who’d anticipated a punny “Pickett to Pickens” match could be made.

The #Steelers select Georgia WR George Pickens in the #NFLDraft #HereWeGo #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/ulleAT7DXE

— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) April 30, 2022

There were some analysts that felt Pickens’ slide into the second round was due to an ACL injury in Georgia’s spring game that kept him on the sidelines for a majority of his final collegiate season. 8.5 months later, though, Pickens was back on the field for the Bulldogs’ final four games and ready for pro scouts.

“(George) could have said, ‘Hey, I’m going to get healthy and wait’… He was beyond impressive at his Pro Day.” – Matt Canada

At 6′-3″, 195, Pickens is an athletic outside receiver who bolsters a Steelers roster that is without JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud, and James Washington. He posted 4.47 (40-yard dash) speed and has the vertical (34.5″) to create mismatches on the field.

Hmm impressive tape 1- year removed, wears No. 1 🤔 is it too early to say the Steelers found their jamar chase https://t.co/f5NKPzKQ1j

— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) April 30, 2022

Pickens had some clouds hanging over him regarding his maturity and reactions that showed questionable discipline at times. Many fans feel that the Steelers organization has the experience in managing professionalism amongst their players and made an excellent choice once again in finding a hot receiving talent in the second round and later.