Steelers WR George Pickens named 'must-see NFL rookie' in preseason

Just when it appeared that there was little chance the Pittsburgh Steelers and star wide receiver Diontae Johnson would come to terms on a deal before the start of regular-season play next month, word broke on Thursday that the parties agreed to a two-year, $36.71 million extension that includes $27 million guaranteed. 

The extension ends Johnson's so-called "hold in" but also won't necessarily keep the 26-year-old attached to the Steelers beyond just the upcoming season. There is, however, already a different Pittsburgh receiver who is earning high praise during training camp. 

Last month, a Pro Football Focus piece named the Steelers landing Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens in the second round of this year's draft the club's "best offseason move." Pickens has only impressed further over the past month or so, and Josh Edwards of CBS Sports listed the 21-year-old among his "must-see NFL rookies in the preseason" that kicks off Thursday with the Hall of Fame Game. 

"The words 'limited athleticism' never graced the pages of a Pickens scouting report," Edwards noted. "The national champion has a high ceiling and has been flashing that potential early in training camp. Will he be able to bring the consistency necessary to see the field? DK Metcalf is the perfect example of teams overthinking a talent and it feels as though Pickens could soon fall in line with that narrative. Few teams have thrived at picking wide receivers quite like the AFC North franchise. 

"Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and Pickens give Pittsburgh a talented trio at wide receiver. Wide receivers can only do so much, however, and a lot of pressure falls on the quarterbacks to get them the ball."

Technically speaking, the identity of Pittsburgh's Week 1 QB1 is still unknown. Free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky remains the favorite among analysts and insiders to win the starting job over first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett and career backup Mason Rudolph, but some have suggested the Steelers should make a move for available San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo sooner rather than later.