The Steelers have agreed to sign their first member of the 2022 NFL Draft class, as the team and wide receiver George Pickens have agreed to terms on a four-year contract.
Pickens was selected No. 52 overall in the second round by the Steelers out of Georgia. Financial terms were not disclosed. According to Over the Cap, the slot value for the pick contains a base contract value of $705,000 for the 2022 season with a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Pickens was a solid contributor for the Bulldogs throughout his tenure with the 2022 National Champions. He finished his Georgia career with 90 catches for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury in the spring before his senior season and only played four games.
Pickens joins a wide receiver room with Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and fellow rookie Calvin Austin III as key contributors for the Steelers next starting quarterback. Pickens is expected to immediately assume a starting role.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Pickens said Friday after the first practice of the team’s rookie minicamp.
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Pickens is the first of the Steelers’ seven rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.