Who is the Pittsburgh Steelers No. 1 wide receiver? Well, by seniority, it’s Diontae Johnson. And Johnson was by far the leader in targets in 2022, with 147. Pat Freiermuth was a distant second with 98.
But Bleacher Report thinks George Pickens will become the Steelers’ clear No. 1 wide receiver in 2023.
“Pickens’ totals should increase across the board since he has more chemistry with Pickett and had a full offseason to grow into his role in the NFL. Pickens should benefit from having Johnson and Robinson to learn from, and there will games in which the two veteran wide receivers create space for the second-year player on the field,” Joe Tansey wrote. “Pickens’ goal should be to record a 1,000-yard season, and he could compete for the top receiving yard total in the NFL if he improves significantly. His minimum goal should be to take over the No. 1 wide receiver spot from Johnson and become the go-to guy inside the Pittsburgh offense.”
? T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Patrick Peterson were somehow left off the 33rd Team’s list of active players who have the best chances of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All three are defintely at least in the discussion to be Canton bound.
? According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the prop for Kenny Pickett’s touchdown total in 2023 is currently at 17.5. Najee Harris rushing yard total is at 900.5, Diontae Johnson’s receiving yard total is at 775.5 and George Pickens’ receiving yard total is at 775.5, as well.
? Happy Birthday to former Steelers kicker Matt Bahr, born on July 6, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bahr was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round out of Penn State in the 1979 NFL Draft. Bahr made 18 of 30 field goal attempts and was 50 of 52 on extra points in his rookie season, which concluded with a Super Bowl title. In the playoffs in 1979, Bahr made three of four field goals and 11 of 12 extra points (including a 41-yard field goal and four extra points in Super Bowl XIV). Bahr’s tenure with the Steelers was short, however, as he was released prior to the 1981 season.
Bahr finished his 17 seasons with 300 of 415 field goals and 522 of 534 extra points. Overall, he scored a total of 1,422 points. At the time of his retirement, Bahr was the last active NFL player that played for the Steelers in at least one of their four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s. Shortly after the waiver, Bahr was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 8, 1981. On Oct. 6, 1981, the 49ers traded Bahr to the Cleveland Browns for a ninth-round draft pick in the 1983 NFL draft. Bahr ended up playing 17 seasons in the NFL, converting 300 of 415 field goals and 522 of 534 extra points. Overall, he scored a total of 1,422 points. At the time of his retirement, Bahr was the last active NFL player that played for the Steelers in at least one of their four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s.
? Kenny Pickett continues to work with Steelers wide receiver Allen Robinson and his personal quarterback coach Tony Racioppi in New Jersey.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working Gun 3 Quick and Dovetail to make a straight, balanced throw with consistent sequence to Spray 10-12yd Speed Out with anticipation, accuracy and velocity to Steelers WR Allen Robinson. @kennypickett10 @AllenRobinson @steelers pic.twitter.com/jOKHxno0rk
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) July 5, 2023
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