Entering his third NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens is projected to take a massive step forward as their top target for their new offense.
Pittsburgh should have more stable quarterback play with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields compared to the assortment of signal-callers they have had to start over the past two seasons. The Steelers also traded away Diontae Johnson, leaving more targets for Pickens to earn. However, he must do it in an Arthur Smith offense, as they brought him in as their new offensive coordinator.
Other than tight end Pat Friermuth, there is no one else proven on the roster to hurt Picken’s target share potentially. Wilson in Smith’s offense should focus on the run game with the duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, while working on the deep play action shots.
George Pickens should be the go-to guy in those situations for 2024.
George Pickens 2023 Stats and Production
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Despite a boom-bust week-to-week year for George Pickens, he had 1,140 receiving yards on 63 catches and five touchdowns. The 23-year-old wide receiver could be taking another step forward this season, as he had about 11 more catches and about 300 more receiving yards in 2023 from his rookie year with one more touchdown.
The former second-rounder from 2022 was drafted around the eighth or ninth round of fantasy drafts last year in PPR as the 29th-ranked receiver. According to FantasyPros, Pickens had three games over 20 fantasy points and one boom game over 35 points but had 10 games of single-digits. He was the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde in 2023, especially in fantasy.
George Pickens 2024 Fantasy Outlook
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The only wide receivers the Steelers have, besides George Pickens, are players like Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins, both free agent signings from this offseason. Pittsburgh also drafted Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and still has Calvin Austin III on the roster.
Pickens is better in standard with his big play upside, as he is the 26th-ranked receiver but goes down to 28th in half PPR and 32nd in full PPR. According to FantasyPros, he is a fifth-rounder in standard at 52nd overall, 55th overall in half PPR, and 60th overall in full PPR as a sixth-round pick.
Final Thoughts On George Pickens
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The strength of schedule for George Pickens doesn’t favor him at all, as it ranks the toughest against wide receivers, according to FantasyPros. In standard, maybe he is worth his current ADP but in PPR, it might be best to take a receiver that can earn consistent targets weekly, like Chris Godwin, who he is being drafted near. The sixth round or later seems appropriate for Pickens.
George Pickens is also being drafted close to players like Kyler Murray, Jordan Love, Trey McBride, and Kenneth Walker III. Still, this should be a better offense than years past with a recently re-signed Mike Tomlin, a head coach of a team that consistently fights for a playoff spot regardless of the players.
About the Author
Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview and uSports, The Crafty Kit, The Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
Now writing for Total Apex, mostly sports like the NFL, college football, the NFL draft, and fantasy football, along with covering my favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens. Also writing for Total Apex E&G about my favorite movies, shows, anime, and sometimes gaming.
You can follow me on Instagram @kimandrew1357, on YouTube @andrewkim1357, and on Twitter (aka X) @kookykim1357.
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