Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers WR George Pickens will be a 'superstar' in 2023

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 1/12/23

Steelers WR George Pickens put together an exciting 2022 season in one of the league's worst offenses. And former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes the rookie is just scratching the surface.

"I feel like he can make every catch. High balls, low balls, back shoulders, it just seems like if it is in his area, he is going to make the play," Roethlisberger said on his "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger" podcast. "He has the ability and has shown to be a superstar."

Pickens made some incredible, acrobatic catches in year one showing his large catch radius. He had the most contested catches by a rookie (19) since Pro Football Focus started tracking data.

Most contested catches by a rookie since PFF started tracking data

George Pickens - 19 pic.twitter.com/H9DML3pUa1
— PFF (@PFF) January 11, 2023

The 21-year-old receiver finished the season with 52 catches for 801 yards and five total touchdowns. His 801 receiving yards rank sixth all-time by a Steelers rookie.

Pickens was also 82 receiving yards shy from leading the team, just behind WR Diontae Johnson who had 63 more targets than him.

George Pickens had 63 less targets than Diontae Johnson

And only had 81 fewer yards. GP gotta be the Steelers guy in ‘23
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) January 9, 2023

It's exciting for Steelers fans to think Pickens will only get better, and Roethlisberger finished by giving him some advice.

"Stay dialed in, continue to want to be the best, put the work in, get there early, stay late. Continue to work with Kenny and the other receivers. Don't take from the success you had this year and just let it ride. Double down on it, triple down on it, keep striving to be better," Roethlisberger added.

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