Diontae Johnson on rookie receiver, former Georgia standout George Pickens: 'He's a freak'

If Pittsburgh Steelers fans weren’t excited about second-round pick George Pickens before, they definitely are after seeing him shine in the first preseason game versus the Seahawks. The former Georgia star had five targets, which he converted into a three-catch, 43-yard performance. He also caught a ball for a 26-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Pickens’ teammate Diontae Johnson praised the rookie wideout after the game.

“He’s a freak, that’s what he is,” Johnson said, via SI’s All Steelers. “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.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Pickens with the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver battled injuries at Georgia but he showed enough to lock himself in as an early-round pick.

Teammates high on former Bulldog

Although Mike Tomlin and his staff are still working through the quarterback battle between Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, with Pickens, Johnson, Najee Harris and Chase Claypool, they have an impressive group of targets to spread the ball to in 2022.

“It’s going to be a big plus,” Johnson said on the addition of Pickens. “They’re not going to be able to cover everyone. They can’t double everyone. There’s always going to be a one-on-one matchup, it’s up to the defense who they’re going to cover.”

Johnson isn’t the only one dishing out praise for Pickens.

“I think he’s gonna be the best rookie receiver in the NFL,” Claypool told the media heading into training camp.

Pickens hauls in first (preseason) NFL touchdown

With the Steelers facing a third and 13 from the Seahawks 26-yard line, quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped back and delivered the ball to the far-right corner of the end zone. With the defense right in his face, George Pickens hauled in this catch for six and simultaneously blew up on Twitter.

All aboard the George Pickens hype train 🚂 @steelers pic.twitter.com/zZ09DzC14z

— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2022