Tim Benz: If George Pickens felt 'snubbed' by the Pro Bowl last year, there are ways to fix that

Last week, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens told College2Pro.com that he felt “snubbed” by failing to make the Pro Bowl.

Seeing as how Pickens had a modest four touchdowns, was 38th in the NFL in receiving yards (801), 72nd in receptions (52) and 61st in targets (84), that claim is — how can I put this gently — a bit difficult to justify.

That’s especially the case when the AFC’s four Pro Bowl reps at wide receiver were Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams and Ja’Marr Chase. All of those players had at least 87 catches and 1,000 receiving yards.

However, Pickens did average 15.4 yards per catch. That was fifth among AFC receivers who qualified with at least 1.875 receptions per game.

So, maybe Pickens was snubbed by his own coaches and quarterbacks as much as he was by the Pro Bowl voting process.

Or maybe he was just a rookie who needed to figure things out on his own before he could be relied upon as a more regular target in the Steelers offense.

“Last year, I was just adjusting. Different plays,” Pickens said after a recent Steelers practice. “Last year, I had to learn every route combination. I couldn’t be just a one-route kind of guy.”

For much of last year, it appeared as if that was the case. A lot of the targets Pickens seemed to absorb were streaks down the sideline and out-cuts. Until the latter stages of the season, he wasn’t used over the middle of the field very much, nor was he put in a position to catch the ball in stride and make much happen after the reception.

More sports

• First Call: Steelers' offseason ranked among NFL's 10 best; Brian Burke gives opinions on Kyle Dubas
• Newly signed Markus Golden accepting of role as No. 3 outside linebacker in Steelers defense
• Mark Madden: Penguins can't trust Tristan Jarry, at least not at market value

According to Pro Football Reference, in his rookie season, the former Georgia Bulldog totaled just 104 yards after the catch, 211th in the NFL. But he was second in the league in yards before the catch per reception (13.4) and seventh in average depth of target (14.5 yards). That meant a lot of deep, hope shots, where if Pickens didn’t catch the ball, no one else would either. Yet when it comes to the quarterback rating when targeted, Pickens yielded a 109.3. For the season, Kenny Pickett had a 76.7 passer rating, and Mitch Trubisky was at 81.1.

Looking at those numbers, for those saying that Pickens needs a wider menu of routes to run and more targets in 2022, a case can easily be made.

“I’m not really sure, as far as how each game is going to go, how the targets are going to work. I just know when it comes my way, I’m going to try to make a play,” Pickens said. “I haven’t really suggested (more targets). I’ll just let my game do the talking.”

Pickens’ 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame can help in that regard. Pickett certainly sounds willing to get the ball to his ‘22 draft classmate more often in ‘23.

“I tell him I will put it in his ZIP code, and he will do the rest. The guy makes unbelievable plays,” Pickett told 93.7 The Fan last week. “When we are on the field together, we are constantly talking about what we see. What he sees. Where I need him. He goes out there and does exactly what we ask him to do. Then let his talents take over.”

Those talents produced a four-week run in October when Pickens tallied 21 catches for 273 yards, a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown. But his production was hit and miss after that, a trend the 22-year-old hopes to change this season as he and Pickett both gain seasoning in Year 2.

“I feel like we can be super explosive. We are on the same page communication-wise. Last year, everything was a first trial. You don’t know what’s going to happen when you are thrown into the fire like that,” Pickens said.

If that’s true and Pickens hits his other two stated goals of a 1,000-yard season and a Super Bowl berth, then if he fails to make the Pro Bowl again, maybe he’ll have a case for being “snubbed.”

Or maybe he’ll just be good enough that he can’t be overlooked.