If you’re a Steelers fan or just someone who spends too much time on NFL Twitter, you’ve probably seen the "NFL YoungBoy" memes or those clips of a guy blocking defensive backs into the Gatorade coolers. That’s George Pickens. But honestly, if you look at his talent now, it feels weird to think there was a time when thirty-one teams looked at him and said, "Eh, maybe later."
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. George Pickens was drafted in 2022. Specifically, he was the 52nd overall pick in the second round. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the ones who finally pulled the trigger, and looking back from 2026, it’s kinda wild he lasted that long.
What Year Was George Pickens Drafted and Why Did He Fall?
The 2022 NFL Draft was a strange one. Usually, a receiver with Pickens' "measurables"—standing 6'3" with 4.47 speed and hands like glue—is a lock for the top 15. But 2022 wasn't a "usual" year for him.
He was coming off a massive ACL tear he suffered during spring practice in March 2021. Most humans take a year plus to recover from that. Pickens? He was back on the field in eight months. He actually suited up for the Georgia Bulldogs' final four games of their national championship run. Even though he only caught five passes that year, one of them was a 52-yard bomb in the National Championship game against Alabama. It was a "hey, I'm still here" moment.
Still, NFL GMs are a nervous bunch. They worried about the medicals. They worried about "character concerns"—which in Draft-speak usually just means a guy plays with a lot of emotion and maybe got into one fight in college.
The Draft Night Reality
When the first round of the 2022 draft rolled around, wide receivers were flying off the board. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, Jahan Dotson, and Treylon Burks all went in the first 18 picks.
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Pickens sat there.
He sat through the rest of the first round. He sat through the beginning of the second. Finally, at pick 52, the Steelers—who have a legendary "type" when it comes to receivers—snagged him. It’s funny because they had already taken Kenny Pickett in the first round. The "Pickett to Pickens" era was born purely out of a Friday night in April.
Scouting George Pickens: Why the 2022 Draft Was a Steal
If you ask any scout from that year what they saw, they’d tell you the same thing: the ceiling was the moon. Pickens didn't just catch the ball; he attacked it. He has this "combat catch" ability where even if a defender is draped all over him, he’s coming down with the rock.
At Georgia, his stats weren't actually that mind-blowing.
- Freshman Year (2019): 49 catches, 727 yards, 8 TDs.
- Sophomore Year (2020): 36 catches, 513 yards, 6 TDs.
- Junior Year (2021): 5 catches, 107 yards (Post-ACL return).
Basically, he never had a 1,000-yard season in college. But Georgia’s offense back then was... well, it was Georgia. They ran the ball and played defense. They didn't need to throw it 50 times a game. Scouts had to look at the way he played rather than the box score.
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The "Dawg" Mentality
One thing that really stood out in his draft profile was his blocking. Most star receivers treat blocking like a chore, like doing the dishes. Pickens treats it like a heavyweight fight. There’s famous footage of him just erasing Michigan defenders in the playoff. That grit is probably what made Mike Tomlin fall in love with him. You can’t teach that kind of "mean."
The NFL Journey: From Pittsburgh to Dallas
It's been a ride since that 2022 draft night. In his rookie year, he immediately proved the doubters wrong. He finished 2022 with 801 yards and a handful of touchdowns, including that "Catch of the Year" against the Browns where he was basically horizontal in the air.
By 2023, he was a 1,100-yard receiver. But as we know, things got a little rocky in Pittsburgh. There was the "Free Me" Instagram drama and the lack of effort on a few blocking plays that had the media in a frenzy.
Then came the massive shift. In early 2025, the Steelers decided to move on, trading Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Honestly, it was the best thing for him. Pairing him with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb opened up everything.
His Breakout 2025 Season
If you haven't checked the stats recently, Pickens just finished an absolutely monstrous 2025 campaign in Dallas.
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- Receptions: 93
- Yards: 1,423
- Touchdowns: 9
He finally made his first Pro Bowl and was named a Second-team All-Pro. He’s no longer just a "draft steal"; he’s one of the top five pure X-receivers in the league.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Draft Profile
A lot of people think Pickens was a "bust risk" because of his attitude. But if you talk to his teammates at Georgia or in the NFL, they mostly talk about how hard he works. The "diva" label gets thrown around a lot for receivers, but with Pickens, it’s more about a raw, unfiltered competitive streak.
The real risk was always the knee. If that ACL hadn't held up, we wouldn't be talking about a Pro Bowler; we'd be talking about a "what if." But the 2022 draft proved that sometimes, the medical red flags are worth the gamble if the talent is generational.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at future drafts or trying to find the "next George Pickens," keep these things in mind:
- Don't overvalue college stats: Pickens never broke 800 yards at Georgia, yet he's a superstar. System matters more than production.
- Look at the recovery: The fact that he returned from an ACL in 8 months should have been a green flag for his work ethic, not a red flag for his health.
- Check the blocking: If a receiver is willing to hit people, they usually have the "buy-in" needed to survive the NFL grind.
The 2022 draft will always be remembered for the receiver class, but George Pickens at 52 is looking more and more like the best value pick of the entire decade.
To stay updated on his contract situation as he enters unrestricted free agency this 2026 offseason, keep a close eye on the Cowboys' cap space. They’ll likely have to use the franchise tag to keep him from hitting the open market after the career-high numbers he just put up.