Mike Tomlin: George Pickens must learn 'difference between talent and skill'

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens continues to receive high praise from multiple outlets ahead of Saturday's preseason opener versus the Seattle Seahawks held at the newly named Acrisure Stadium. 

The product of the Georgia Bulldogs selected in the second round of this year's draft was recently named a "must-see NFL rookie" for upcoming exhibition matchups and has widely impressed while catching passes thrown by quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and fellow first-year pro Kenny Pickett. For a piece published on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spotlighted the 21-year-old who could soon become a reliable target for whichever signal-caller wins a competition that Trubisky leads during the first half of August. 

"Pickens has been a standout in camp," Fowler noted. "His body control on contested catches has provided highlights almost daily. I'm told coaches have been pleased with his approach to being a professional, too. He hasn't been a problem behind the scenes. Pickens wanted to go to a place with a stable NFL culture, and Pittsburgh is ideal for that." 

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked Wednesday afternoon what Pickens needs to work on moving forward, and Tomlin offered an honest and blunt assessment. 

"Absolutely everything," Tomlin responded, via Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "He's got talent, but there's a difference between talent and skill. And that's what we're trying to educate him and others regarding. God gives him the talent. We develop the skill and settings like this, relative to the positions that they play."

While nothing is for sure, it seems like Pickens' "favorite" quarterback as it pertains to preseason targets could end up serving as Pittsburgh's starter for the Week 1 matchup at the Cincinnati Bengals next month.