George Pickens has made it clear that he thinks he ought to have been a Professional Bowler this season.
And he had a superb case for it. His uncooked numbers gained’t blow you away. Whereas 63 receptions, 1140 yards, and 5 touchdowns are spectacular, it doesn’t scream an computerized Professional Bowl berth. However while you dig deeper, you see simply how historic of a season George Pickens quietly put collectively in 2023.
First off, and the plain, is the catastrophe of a quarterback scenario for the Steelers in 2023. Pickens caught balls from three totally different starters in Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. A mixture that led to the workforce ending twenty eighth in passing yards and thirtieth in passing touchdowns. Not precisely a straightforward offense to place up good quantity stats in.
So let’s check out Pickens’ price stats as an alternative. He led the league with 18.1 yards per reception and likewise put up 10.8 yards per goal. Fairly the mark for somebody in solely their second yr.
Will Pickens make the Professional Bowl in his third yr? It looks as if he’s on the fitting path, however let’s check out some related yr two broad receivers to see if we are able to again it up.
Since 1992, the primary yr that targets had been tracked on Professional Soccer Reference, there have solely been six 12 months-Two receivers to submit 1,100 yards and 10.5 yards per goal. Tyreek Hill, Torry Holt, Jaylen Waddle, Victor Cruz, Mike Wallace, and Pickens. 4 of the 5 non-Pickens receivers made the Professional Bowl of their third yr, with the one exception being Jaylen Waddle, who grew to become an alternate.
Take a look at the checklist of quarterbacks these guys had too. Alex Smith, Kurt Warner, Tua Tagovailoa, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Three potential Corridor Of Famers and everybody was at the least league common on the time. That has not been the case for Pickens, and it’s inconceivable to argue he’s gotten even common quarterback manufacturing in his first two seasons.
Let’s check out maybe George Pickens’ closest statistical comparability from that bunch in Tyreek Hill:
Hill: 73 receptions, 1,183 yards, 7 touchdowns, 40 first downs, 15.8 yards per reception, 11.3 yards per goal
Pickens: 63 receptions, 1,140 yards, 5 touchdowns, 42 first downs, 18.1 yards per reception, 10.8 yards per goal
Fairly shut proper? Not precise, and naturally, they aren’t the identical kind of receiver. But it surely’s an encouraging signal, particularly while you have a look at Hill’s 12 months Three:
Hill 12 months-Three: 87 receptions, 1,479 yards, 12 touchdowns, 60 first downs, 17.0 yards per reception, 10.8 yards per goal, First-Crew All-Professional
So what modified for Hill going into yr three? It’s fairly easy. Patrick Mahomes grew to become his quarterback. Regardless of his respectable profession, Alex Smith was most likely the weakest quarterback on the above checklist, and the improve did wonders for Hill and helped him escape.
Whereas Pittsburgh definitely gained’t be getting a Mahomes-level improve, it’s not a lot to ask for the quarterback play to get higher in 2024. Pickens appears poised for a Professional Bowl season in 2024 regardless, but when there’s going to be a serious breakout, it seemingly shall be attributable to a brand new or improved quarterback.
