Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens had a solid rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickens, selected with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, compiled 52 catches on 84 targets for 801 yards and four touchdowns. The former Georgia standout hopes to build on that for his second year in the league.
While Pickens drew heat for saying he felt he got snubbed by the Pro Bowl, Steelers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson wants Pickens to raise his level of play in Year 2.
“It has to be a big jump,” Jackson recently said about Pickens, according to Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan. “The onus is on me to have him take that next step. That big jump that we are all searching for and want, he’s got to be a great player for us.”
Jackson went on to say that a repeat of Pickens’ rookie year would be a failure.
“For him to play like he played last year,” Jackson said, “That’s a failure on my part; that’s a failure on his part. And so he’s got to play at a great level; the expectation is for him to play at a great level this year.”
If Pickens can take that leap with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers should be on their way to returning to the playoffs.