The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a surprise trade after the NFL Draft, trading away their leading receiver of the past two seasons in George Pickens.
The move was especially surprising after the team acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, with many fans gearing up for an explosive receiver tandem.
The tandem never got to step foot in the same room together before the Steelers shipped Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for future draft capital. According to former Steelers wideout Plaxico Burress, it was a bad idea for the Steelers, as Burress believes Pickens is better then Metcalf.
“How this hurts the Pittsburgh Steelers, they didn’t get any better," Burress said. "I don’t believe, when it comes down to playing the position and playing the game of football, that DK Metcalf is a better wide receiver than George Pickens. I would not agree to that. We know that George Pickens, when he’s playing and he’s focused, he’s one of the top five ball players at the position. There’s no dispute in that. There’s no doubt about it, but we got to get the young man focused so he can reach his full potential and become one of these elite wide receivers in all of football."
Buress is referring to maturity issues that have plagued Pickens dating back to his collegiate career at Georgia.
There's no doubting Pickens' talent, but would he be Batman in a receiver room featuring DK Metcalf, or would he perhaps be better suited as a Robin?
And of course now, in Dallas, a similar question about CeeDee Lamb and Pickens teaming up with the Cowboys.
WIll Pickens be a happy Robin?
Pickens had his most productive season in his sophomore campaign in 2023, where he took 63 catches for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns, leading the NFL with 18.1 yards per reception. Pickens only logged 14 games and 12 starts last season but still managed 900 yards and three touchdowns in 59 receptions.
Metcalf, however, has eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark thrice in his six year NFL career, and has never had less than 900 in a single season. His most productive season by yards was also his sophomore campaign in 2020, where he had 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns.
This past season, Metcalf appeared in 15 games, making 12 starts, and he hauled in 66 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns.