PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Let’s take quarterback Kenny Pickett and offensive coordinator Matt Canada out of it. Obviously those two will be the biggest factors to the Steelers offensive success in 2023. Who is next in terms of needing to have a big year for the offense to take the next step?
Make your arguments for Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Allen Robinson, Diontae Johnson even the impact of guard Isaac Seumalo. The guy who has to have a big year for the Steelers offense to grow is George Pickens.
Receivers can’t throw the balls to themselves, but for this offense to take a step forward they must have a deep threat. Sure, Robinson might give you a few plays in the slot, but Pickens is the most dynamic receiver in the group. Think of it like the Pirates, Bryan Reynolds is consistent, but Oneil Cruz is feared for his game-changing capabilities. Pickens must be that for the Steelers.
Outside receivers are rarely going to lead the league in catch percentage, but Pickens needs to bring in more than the 61.9% he did as a rookie. It’s doable for the elite, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs each caught 70% of their targets last season. The ask is not for Pickens to become either of those two, but closer to them. The second-round pick was ranked 52nd by Pro Football Focus. Steelers receivers coach Frisman Jackson admitted Pickens needs to improve this year and there is more for him to get. He’s right, Pickens may have been a second-round pick but is a first-round importance.
There are no other game-changers in the receiving corps. Johnson may catch 100 passes, Freiermuth may be a threat matched-up on linebackers, Calvin Austin is the fastest, but none have the physical tools Pickens possesses. Time to open the box.
He can’t do that by himself, Canada/Mike Tomlin and Pickett obviously play a big role in it. The coaches must give him more opportunities to make plays downfield and the quarterback needs to deliver the ball in an area for the 22-year-old to make a difference.
In 2022, the Steelers had an NFL worst three plays all season of 40-plus yards. Only the Titans and Ravens had fewer plays of 20-plus yards in the AFC last year. You probably often heard Tomlin saying they need more chunk plays. The player who can give the team the biggest chunk plays is Pickens.
The Georgia star’s yards-per-reception increased by four yards over the last five games of his rookie season, not surprisingly the Steelers won four of those games. Even with those wins and Pickens impact, there were points left on the board. Steelers talk of carrying over the momentum from the running game last year, imagine the running opportunities for Harris or Jaylen Warren if Pickens is making plays down the field.
Only three times last season did the Steelers manage more than two offensive touchdowns in a game. Seven times the Steelers scored one or fewer touchdowns. They were 26th in the NFL in points per game in 2022 at 18.1. For those results to change, George Pickens needs to get more involved downfield.