Steelers Daily: George Pickens’ Fantasy Value, 2023 Mock Drafts Already?

Experts discuss Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens’ fantasy value, and the 2023 mock draft are already flowing in, as the college football season gets underway.

 Steelers Scout Report: The Backyard Brawl and two games in Carolina drew the attention of the scouts in the first weekend of college football.

 Ben Roethlisberger has decided on a retirement venture: He’s starting a podcast called “Footbahlin.” In his first episode, he talked about the quarterback controversy between Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett.

 The Cleveland Browns have signed tackle Joe Haeg after he was surprisingly cut by the Steelers last week.

 The Browns also scooped up former Steelers tight end Jesse James, who spent the 2021 season with the Chicago Bears.

 The Steelers landed Notre Dame edge rusher Isaiah Foskey and Maryland tackle Jaelyn Duncan in a two-round mock 2023 NFL Draft from Pro Football Network.

 Field Yates of ESPN picked wide receiver George Pickens as a potential fantasy football bargain and the team’s next big hit in drafting wide receivers.

Teresa Varley of Steelers.com shared a tribute to the late great Tunch Ilkin on the one-year anniversary of his passing on Sunday. “Not a day goes by that you aren’t missed, Tunch. Hard to believe it’s been a year,” Varley said on Twitter.

Steelers legend Mel Blount was at the Black College Football Hall of Fame museum housed at the Pro Football Football Fame for this weekends events.

Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has the Steelers going 9-8 in 2022 and finishing third in the AFC North. Orr predicts the Steelers will start the season 2-6 and finish 7-2. “A Mike Tomlin team doesn’t lay down. And … by then it will be Kenny Pickett time,” Orr explained on the second-half turnaround. “Pickett has shown a sharp amount of accuracy in the short and middle range, which should help him fare especially well against the blitz-averse Bengals and Colts, aiding the Steelers in a few win-ugly contests.” Orr has the Ravens winning the AFC North at 12-5, followed by the Bengals at 11-6 and the Browns finishing last at 7-10.

STEELERS SCHEDULE

 The Steelers will have a rare Monday practice in advance of the season opener. Players will strap on the pads for a 10:45 a.m. practice. — Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh

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