Steelers Next George Pickens
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers knew George Pickens was going to be special when they drafted him, but once he stepped onto the practice field for OTAs a year ago, all of his teammates knew they had just added someone different.
"He's a freak, that's what he is," Diontae Johnson said about Pickens last year. "He's a freak. That's a special talent. You can't teach some of the things he does. I just be watching like, man, I be amazed at how he catches the ball sometimes. He's young. He's getting better on the daily."
It took no time for Pickens to showcase his star potential in the NFL. So, who's next? Which player is set to be the next instant performer, no questions-asked talent for the Steelers?
The easiest answer is Joey Porter Jr. The second-round pick is already taking first-team reps, is learning from a future Hall of Famer in Patrick Peterson, and is expected to make an instant impact on this defense as a rookie.
But he may not be alone.
Cory Trice Jr. is turning heads at OTAs, and while going against the second and third teams is different than battling Kenny Pickett, Pickens, Diontae Johnson, etc., it's still something to keep an eye on if a seventh-rounder is impressing.
"He's asking all the right questions," veteran Levi Wallace told All Steelers. "Really good player, super big. Him and Joey [Porter Jr.] are dang near the same size. It's dope having those corners who can bring the energy like that. Who are bought in and really want to learn."
The expectations for Trice shouldn't be too high right now. He's still a seventh-round rookie who isn't viewed as an instant starter on this team. He is, however, a piece to the puzzle the coaches hope turn into a full-time starter on the outside with Porter Jr.
So, even if no one is coming up with splash after splash like Pickens did a year ago, the Steelers have two players who should make fans feel pretty good from the jump.
One will likely be a starter sooner rather than later, and the other is putting an early stamp on his name as a late-round steal with some pretty big upside.
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