Name a better success story than the Pittsburgh Steelers and second-round wide receivers.
Chase Claypool (2020), James Washington (2018), Juju Smith-Schuster (2017), Limas Sweed (2008), Antwan Randle-El (2002) — all second-round picks who either are having or had success repping the black and yellow.
A couple of the more recent picks, Smith-Schuster and Claypool, had fantastic rookie seasons, leaving optimism for future Steelers rookies to do the same. In this case, the door is open for 2022 draftee George Pickens.
Pickens dropped to the second round likely due to his medicals. He tore his ACL prior to his final season at the University of Georgia before returning to play the final four games of the season. He flashed what he once displayed early in his collegiate career just enough to catch the eye of the Steelers.
And it only took him one preseason game to showcase his full arsenal to the NFL world. Now, people are reacting.
Pickens’ odds to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award have jumped to +1000 from his +5000 opening odds.
He’s a “special talent,” as teammate Diontae Johnson called him. But will he be able to see enough action to actually win the award? Whethe Pittsburgh starts Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky at QB, there will be plenty of mouths to feed. Johnson, Najee Harris, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth and Miles Boykin will all eat into his share of targets.
The last two wideouts to win OROY were clear-cut No. 1 options on their respective teams. Ja’Marr Chase went off for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Bengals last year while Odell Beckham Jr. recorded 1,305 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns in 2014.
Wagering on Pickens means betting that Pickett or Trubisky won’t only be competent enough to find the rookie WR consistently, but that Pickens will be able to make himself standout in a crowded group of pass-catchers.
