Pittsburgh Steelers rookie receiver George Pickens had a strong showing in his preseason debut Saturday, grabbing three receptions for 43 yards and a spectacular 26-yard touchdown.
It was just the latest showing in a camp that has drawn strong praise for the second-round pick. Teammate Diontae Johnson called him a “special talent.” So, despite stiff competition for playing time in a receiving room with Johnson and Chase Claypool, Pickens is carving out a role in Pittsburgh’s offense. Bettors are taking notice.
As of Wednesday, Pickens’ odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year are +1000 at Tipico Sportsbook, sixth-shortest of any player. They’re even shorter at BetMGM, where he’s now favored at +850 — all the way down from +5000 odds to open.
All aboard the George Pickens hype train 🚂 @steelers pic.twitter.com/zZ09DzC14z
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2022
George Pickens odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at @BetMGM
+5000 – Open
+5000 – June 1st
+5000 – July 1st
+5000 – August 1st
+3000 – Last week
+1800 – Monday
+1000 – Tuesday
+850 – TodayPickens is the betting favorite to win the award.
— John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) August 17, 2022
Pickens is impressive, but he’ll only be as good as his quarterbacks allow him to be. Betting on him to win is almost like betting on Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, which I’m not quite ready to do. But more power to the people who moved him into the leading spot.
