ESPN Names George Pickens’ 2022 One-Handed Catch Amongst Greatest Of All Time

Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers monitor file in Cleveland hasn’t been nice just lately, it has produced some iconic moments. Whether or not it was Thursday night time’s winter wonderland, or Myles Garrett slamming a helmet into Mason Rudolph a number of years again, when Pittsburgh performs the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, one thing iconic goes to occur. George Pickens’ catch in opposition to the Browns in his rookie season simply makes that record.

Pickens made ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown all-time catch record to have a good time Odell Beckham Jr.’s iconic one-handed seize that occurred 10 years in the past.

On a Thursday night time in 2022, as a rookie, Pickens made some of the acrobatic catches you’ll ever see as he made a one-handed catch whereas diving and twisting his physique.

Watch this catch by George Pickens #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/UP4fASSlPb

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 23, 2022

Randy Moss, one of many all-time biggest vast receivers, commented on it.

“That’s lovely,” mentioned Moss. “One factor about George Pickens, he has an enormous catch radius. Throw it anyplace — he’ll seize it.”

Like this yr, the Steelers misplaced that recreation, however Pickens’ catch will reside in infamy. It’s legitimately one of many biggest catches of all time as a result of approach Pickens needed to contort his physique after which catch the ball with only one hand whereas parallel to the bottom.

Pickens has made loads of spectacular catches through the years, and Moss is correct that he has an enormous catch radius. That catch radius has allowed him to turn out to be one of many higher receivers within the NFL. Thus far, Pickens has tallied 52 catches for 776 yards and two touchdowns. Pickens can also be averaging 14.9 yards per catch as he’s not solely a deep-ball menace as a result of his insane catch radius, but additionally his yards after catch skill.

Pickens went from mainly a leap ball specialist to an throughout receiver. He’s proven the power to take quick passes to the top zone, as seen a pair instances final yr. Pickens’ route tree has additionally expanded since his rookie season as we’ve got seen him be utilized over the center of the sector greater than he was.

Regardless of the enhancements Pickens has made to his all-around recreation, his calling card continues to be his spectacular catch skill. It makes him a match-up nightmare and permits him to make among the biggest catches of all time, like his catch in opposition to the Browns a pair years in the past.