Once D.K. Metcalf joined the Steelers, a flurry of questions naturally arose, particularly concerning how he might gel with George Pickens.
In the league, both Metcalf and Pickens are top-tier as big, physical receivers who excel in vertical threats. While Pickens stands out with his contested catches, both receivers tend to dominate using similar routes.
Yet, Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t necessarily agree. As reported by Dale Lolley of Steelers.com, Tomlin addressed the potential fit of the two players, expressing doubts that they are as alike as some might think.
“DK is a big man. GP is tall. There’s a difference,” Tomlin remarked to Lolley.
From a purely physical standpoint, Tomlin does have a point. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 200 pounds, Pickens is well-suited for the NFL receiver role. However, Metcalf resembles more of a muscle-bound athlete, towering at 6’4″ and packing 235 pounds of sheer muscle. His speed adds to his arsenal, clocking in at an impressive 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Metcalf’s physicality shines particularly in blocking scenarios, often seeking to out-muscle defenders. Despite ample opportunities for 50-50 balls last season, he didn’t exactly impress. Pro Football Focus noted that he only caught 36.6% of contested throws aimed his way, ranking him 74th among all receivers. His strength lies more in acting as a faux-Tyreek Hill speedster, tearing downfields.
Last season, he led in receptions for targets beyond 20 yards, was fourth in receiving yards, and second in touchdowns.
Interestingly, Pickens also had his challenges with contested catches last year, managing a mere 37% success rate. Ironically, Metcalf is the only one with a similar or slightly lower contested catch percentage. Still, Pickens has carved out a reputation for thriving in physical matchups, in ways even Metcalf struggles.
We’ve discussed Metcalf’s unique abilities in our film analysis right after his trade.
“Metcalf dominates with speed and his knack for outperforming cornerbacks. That’s in contrast to George Pickens, who approaches it like a power forward, jumping over defenders to snag a crucial catch. Metcalf’s lane is the track.”
Regardless of their different styles, both are crucial for impactful plays, a significant reason the Steelers pursued Metcalf. The hope is that Arthur Smith will unlock even more of Metcalf’s potential to leverage his impressive frame in 2025.
