Steelers Daily Links: Pickens Fantasy Breakout, Baldy Highlights KP

Bill Barnwell of ESPN thinks Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens could be this year’s breakout fantasy football star.

“Nobody had it harder in 2022 than George Pickens. He had the lowest expected catch rate of any receiver in football. … If he has easier throws to catch in 2023 it could unlock a new level from a possible star receiver,” Barnwell wrote.

In his first season, Pickens caught 52 passes for 801 yards and four touchdowns, scoring 32 fantasy points in standard formats.

RELATED: George Pickens Ranked 2nd in NFL in Key Metric

🏈 ESPN NFL Live: Former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden ranked the top five wide receivers that he faced in his career, and his former teammate Antonio Brown came in at No. 1. Before joining the Steelers in 2017, Haden played in Cleveland and was often matched up against Brown from 2010-2016. Calvin Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones and A.J. Green rounded out Haden’s list.

🏈 Pro Football Talk ranked the Steelers as the ninth-best team in the AFC.

🏈 Steelers Community Relations: On Thursday, the Steelers’ rookies visited the Mel Blount Youth Home to learn about how they teach kids about the importance of teamwork.

On Thursday, our rookies visited @MelBlountYLI to learn about how they teach kids about the importance of teamwork. pic.twitter.com/BHRDRvL5Oj

— Steelers Community Relations (@SteelersCR) June 22, 2023

🏈 Former Steelers safety Mike Logan paid tribute to his former teammate and friend Clark Haggans, who died at the age of 46 this week.

“Been tryin to find the words to express how I’m feeling upon hearing the passing of my former teammate & friend Clark Haggans,” Logan wrote in a Facebook post. “In the league you’re going to have some teammates that are closer than others, some who hang in cliques, & others who just stay to themselves. Clark Haggans was everyone’s close teammate that turned into a unique friendship. He was truly the “life” of every party. His spirit moved mountains. He would tell you I’m not perfect, but Ima enjoy myself while trying to strive for it. I pray he’s finally resting because he never took a break on or off the field. Missya my friend Muchluv bro.”

Hines Ward also sent his condolences to Clark Haggans’ family. “Prayers go out to the Haggins Family! R.I.P. Clark! Luv u Bro!,” Ward tweeted.

🎥 NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger took a look back at Kenny Pickett’s game-winning touchdown pass to Najee Harris against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.

.@Steelers @kennypickett10 with the “Jersey Shore Floater” for the game winner. Oh how sweet it is. Happy Nuptials. Hope it’s a great Jersey Girl. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/pyVty5Q77p

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 22, 2023

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Four potential unrestricted free agents that the Penguins could target to replace Jason Zucker.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates collapsed in the eighth inning, with Dauri Moreta and Carmen Mlodzinski giving up a combined five runs in the frame as the Miami Marlins rallied from down 4-1 to hand the Bucs their 10th straight loss.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pittsburgh native Jalen Hood-Schifino was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

West Virginia Sports Now: The WVU brass had a “fact-finding” meeting with two assistant coaches, while forward Tre Mitchell is the first Mountaineer to hit the transfer portal since the firing of Bob Huggins.

Nittany Sports Now: For the first time ever, two Penn State basketball players were taken in the same draft class: Jalen Pickett went to the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets with the final pick of the first round and Seth Lundy was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Former Pitt women’s soccer defender Athalie Palomo has signed with Tigers Femenil in the Liga MX Femenil in Mexico.