PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's intangibles that Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin said during their pre-draft news conference often separates players. For the Steelers second-round pick, it was the ability to return from injury that impressed them.
Georgia receiver George Pickens was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team after 49 receptions for 727 yards and led the team with eight touchdowns. He was MVP of the Sugar Bowl with 12 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. He followed that up with an eight-game sophomore season of 36 receptions, 513 yards and again led the team in touchdowns with six. Pickens again shined in the bowl game, seven receptions for 135 yards in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati.
Coming off those two great seasons, the Steelers had him as the best receiver potentially available for the 2022 Draft. Early in Spring drills, Pickens tore his right ACL. It would appear his season was over and he might have to wait another year to reach the NFL.
Pickens was determined to come back later that season, he wanted to win with the players he came into school with. The 6'3", 200-pounder returned for the regular season finale. He caught a pair of passes in the SEC Championship Game and a key 52-yard reception in the CFP Championship Game against Alabama.
"You have to give him a lot of credit for coming back and playing (from knee injury)," said Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. "He didn't have a huge role, but he came back and played late. Had some significant plays and fought to get back and play. That's a great show of his character right there."
The interest was high at the Georgia Pro Day, granted a number of prospects to watch, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, GM Kevin Colbert and WR Coach Frisman Jackson were all in attendance. Pickens admitted he had an idea the Steelers were interested, but added you never really know how a team will draft.
"He was impressive beyond belief at his pro day," Pickens said. "Showed no signs of any injury. We are really, really excited about getting him at any point in the draft."
Pickens considers himself an outside receiver, however said he often practiced running slot routes at Georgia. Canada said he will see how it plays out, but noted Chase Claypool could play some inside if they want Pickens on the outside.
"When you have two guys like that (Diontae Johnson and Claypool), one more explosive receiver doesn't allow anybody to double-team," Canada said. "They have to pick who they want to double and we feel good about Pat (Freiermuth). I think it allows us to have great versatility in our offense, you can't double them all. I think it's a great asset for us."
It's part of an overhaul for the Steelers offense. Adding a pair of offensive linemen in free agency, a former and current first round quarterback and now a potential downfield threat at receiver. Canada said they are adding more pieces to the puzzle and they are excited.
"I watched a bunch of highlights," Canada said. "I watched a whole bunch of guys throughout the process. I was impressed with his ability to go get the football. His ability to go down the field. We had him as a really, really high guy coming out prior to his injury and we kept him there. He showed us in his pro day that he was still that guy."
Pickens was recently involved in an auto accident where he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Pickens hit his head off a windshield, but said he's fine they were only going 20 miles-an-hour.
