Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens might have made the catch of the year — and we’re only in Week 3.
The 21-year-old rookie made an amazing one-handed 36-yard reception in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. played tough defense, but Pickens’ offensive effort was just that much better.
It was a much-needed jolt to the Steelers’ offense, as it was the team’s longest passing play of the season to date. Pickens’ catch led to a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Najee Harris to cap off the drive. Pickens said earlier in the week that he was open “99 percent of the time,” and, after watching that catch, it’s hard to argue with him.
Pickens’ catch drew parallels to receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s outstanding reception as a rookie receiver almost eight years ago. He made a one-handed grab while falling out of bounds — and being interfered with — against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of the 2014 season.
Beckham saw Pickens’ incredible grab and offered his comments on Twitter.
OKAY ROOK WE SEE YOU 😳
(via @steelers)pic.twitter.com/BsI0alS1dt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 23, 2022
THIS CATCH IS FILTHY
— Odell Beckham Jr. (@obj) September 23, 2022
Former NFL receiver Dez Bryant, current Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams and more also praised Pickens.
George Pickens…re-lax.
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) September 23, 2022
OMG PICKENS… Nasty 🤮 🔥
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 23, 2022
George Pickens is an ALIEN pic.twitter.com/OPTZVN8bUK
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 23, 2022
Welp! I guess Pickens IS always OPEN!!! 🔥🔥🔥 #HereWeGo #TNF
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 23, 2022
Okay Mr. Pickens!! What a catch!!!
— Dont’a Hightower (@zeus30hightower) September 23, 2022
Finally they target Pickens! Need more of this!
pic.twitter.com/cTop9d2u92— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 23, 2022
This photo needs to be in the HOF pic.twitter.com/dufZfhGnGp
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) September 23, 2022
👀
🗣🗣 DAWG pic.twitter.com/Sv19OarBW9
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 23, 2022
Competition brings out the best in you, iron sharpens iron, yo boy go make a play and you gotta go make a play too‼️👀🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏿 https://t.co/N1GMZvUqhf
— Anthony Dixon (@Boobie24Dixon) September 23, 2022
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