Rodgers has a small fracture in left wrist

[slashsteel]

So let’s do a ten game comparison with my good Ai buddy IZ,

George Pickens — Last 10 Games with Steelers
• Over the 10-game stretch, Pickens had 41 receptions. 
• He totaled 677 receiving yards in those 10 games. 
• That works out to an average of 67.7 yards per game in that span. 
• He scored 4 touchdowns over those 10 games. 
• On average, ~7.2 targets per game, so a catch rate of about ~57% (41/72). 
• His yards per catch in that stretch: ~16.5 yards per reception. 

⸻

DK Metcalf — First 10 Games with Steelers (2025)

Using his game logs and cumulative 2025 season data through his first 10 games: 

Here’s how he performed:
• Receptions: 37 catches. 
• Receiving yards: 551 yards. 
• Yards per game (over 10 games): ~ 55.1 yards/game. (551 ÷ 10)
• Touchdowns: 5 receiving TDs in those 10 games. 
• Average yards per catch: ~ 14.9 yards per reception. (551 ÷ 37) 
• Targets: He had 62 targets through those games. (per his game log) 
• Catch rate: ~59.7% (37 / 62) — consistent with his season target share and catch metrics. 

⸻

Comparison & Analysis
• Volume: Pickens had slightly more catches (41 vs. 37) over 10 games, but they were pretty comparable in usage.
• Efficiency: Pickens had a higher yards per reception (16.5) compared to Metcalf’s 14.9, suggesting Pickens made more big-play catches in his 10-game stretch.
• Yards Per Game: Pickens’s 67.7 yds/game > Metcalf’s ~55.1 yds/game over those spans.
• Touchdowns: Metcalf had more in that 10-game stretch (5) vs Pickens (4), so he was a more frequent scoring threat in that stretch.
• Target/Catch Rate: Metcalf’s catch rate (~59.7%) is a bit higher than Pickens’s (~57%) for those respective 10-game windows.

⸻

Takeaway
• Pickens in his 10-game stretch was more of a big-play, deep threat — higher yards per catch and more yardage per game.
• Metcalf, in his first 10 with Pittsburgh, is being used frequently, catching a good share of his targets, and making more of them count in the end zone (touchdowns).

My two and a half cents: very similar numbers. So if one is a 1A it is reasonable to say the other is a 1A.

 

[bermudasteel]

I don’t think DK is a number 2. You put him in Dallas scheme and he is equally as productive.

Plus Dak is what 10th in passing and almost 70 percent completion rating?

In the Steelers scheme DK is easily the most productive. Give the Steelers a talented pairing I bet his number would rise quickly… there is absolutely no threat opposite DK.

Have to disagree with this take …

I think we're saying the same thing.

And, DK, let's face it, is not (by himself), better than George or CeeDee.

The pairing in Dallas far supersedes what we have here. As a matter of fact, there is no comparison. Could DK be as productive in Dallas as George is now - more than likely, yes. Now flip the script and ask, what would George look like in THIS YEAR'S offense with a real QB throwing out to him?

So, the question, without past transgressions or his actions, is do you think George is a better WR than DK???

 

[slashsteel]

I think we're saying the same thing.

And, DK, let's face it, is not (by himself), better than George or CeeDee.

The pairing in Dallas far supersedes what we have here. As a matter of fact, there is no comparison. Could DK be as productive in Dallas as George is now - more than likely, yes. Now flip the script and ask, what would George look like in THIS YEAR'S offense with a real QB throwing out to him?

So, the question, without past transgressions or his actions, is do you think George is a better WR than DK???

I showed you Pickens stats from ten games last year . Very similar. Very.

I would have to say slightly GP is the more explosive WR. But it really matters not his stripes are not changing. I thought the team did as best as they could in replacing him, no way can you keep a guy with chemistry concerns. You just can’t. Or at least the Steelers haven’t shown they can manage it well.

It is like having a BLT and beside that BLT… you have another BLT with extra bacon. Sure that is a little more tastier but both wet the appetite and taste buds. Both accomplish pretty much the same thing.

Now say we are really hungry which the Steelers are . They need another sandwich more than that extra bacon.

Happy eating![/QUOTE]

 

[SteelerFan448]

I don’t think DK is a number 2. You put him in Dallas scheme and he is equally as productive.

Plus Dak is what 10th in passing and almost 70 percent completion rating?

In the Steelers scheme DK is easily the most productive. Give the Steelers a talented pairing I bet his number would rise quickly… there is absolutely no threat opposite DK.

Have to disagree with this take …

They aren't using DK as deep threat at all. Besides that, he's putting up numbers comparable to Pickens when he was WR1 here. I agree he'd have monster numbers in Dallas.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Pickens was untenable. I dont agree with much Shades does but when he let's a talent walk.....you know its un-doable. There is a reason first round plus talent falls that far. Its pretty clear.

 

[slashsteel]

They aren't using DK as deep threat at all. Besides that, he's putting up numbers comparable to Pickens when he was WR1 here. I agree he'd have monster numbers in Dallas.

I don’t think they are throwing long because either AR doesn’t trust the Oline and or he doesn’t trust his arm at this stage. Seeing some of his long balls I tend to think it is that over the Oline.

 

[topseed]

I am just thinking of scenarios. Just like the agents do with projected draft slotting. If a draft is less positional top heavy it could potentially cause players to rise, and if it is more top heavy they could fall. So sure one player may or may not affect his positioning but my overall scenario might. The players do get told what they project at.

If they think Manning and QB B, etc. make his class top heavy and year 1 ( 2026) less top heavy they sure will convey that to Moore.

So besides that I also think about will their stock elevate more from year 1 to 2. If I don’t think they will rise significantly then I think they might declare year 1.

ESPN, I never take too much stock in anything they say or predict.

I always look here this is a plethora of sites (63 yes you read that right) that that are compiled together. I have used them for a long time …

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2026/consensus-big-board-2026

He is 6th here overall.

I have also glued in on this class and it arguably hasn’t performed like it initially was projected to. I could easily see Moore’s people tell him this is his perfect opportunity to declare.

I'm pretty sure that Moore's people aren't very concerned with whatever Manning's draft status may or may not be in 2027. Manning was projected by some if not most to be the lock #1 pick in 2026, and he hasn't played anywhere near that level.

I just used ESPN as an example. Even if Moore will go #6 overall next April as your compilation suggests (and nobody really knows if that will be the case or not), spending another year at Oregon, getting paid monster NIL in the meantime, and potentially becoming a #1 or #2 overall pick in 2027 is not a bad idea, either.

 

[Shane Falco]

I don’t think they are throwing long because either AR doesn’t trust the Oline and or he doesn’t trust his arm at this stage. Seeing some of his long balls I tend to think it is that over the Oline.

I think another variable is that he doesn’t trust his receivers ability to get separation and adjust

 

[topseed]

How

A couple of reasons:
1) You posted that Dallas was 3-5-1 at 11:14 pm on Monday night, when they were clearly moments away from being 4-5-1.
2) The Cowboys' mediocre overall record has a whole lot more to do with their shltty defense than it does with George Pickens averaging 91 receiving yards per game.

 

[slashsteel]

I'm pretty sure that Moore's people aren't very concerned with whatever Manning's draft status may or may not be in 2027. Manning was projected by some if not most to be the lock #1 pick in 2026, and he hasn't played anywhere near that level.

I just used ESPN as an example. Even if Moore will go #6 overall next April as your compilation suggests (and nobody really knows if that will be the case or not), spending another year at Oregon, getting paid monster NIL in the meantime, and potentially becoming a #1 or #2 overall pick in 2027 is not a bad idea, either.

Sure the people who handle Moore like every other prospect are looking at what time is best to declare. Where are they projected to go…At the least they are giving him scenarios to weigh in on. Yes positional strengths of year 1 to 2 sure would be in a discussion. It would be unwise for it not to be on the table. After all it is in the prospects best interest to weigh everything including where they might be taken.

I am saying it is a package of everything I mentioned so we can agree to disagree if you think differently that is fine. The how much they make in college sure that is in the mix as well.

I know I mentioned Manning but that was just a name off of a draft class that could contribute to the year being positionally top heavy.. You might be focusing in on that more than the general overall strength of a class at the top which was more on point.

 

[SteelerSask2]

A couple of reasons:
1) You posted that Dallas was 3-5-1 at 11:14 pm on Monday night, when they were clearly moments away from being 4-5-1.
2) The Cowboys' mediocre overall record has a whole lot more to do with their shltty defense than it does with George Pickens averaging 91 receiving yards per game.

They've got 5 losses and a tie in a division with the SB champion and at least two teams are making playoffs in the west and south. They are cooked 3-5-1 or 4-5-1. Point being he is with CD Lamb and a much better QB. Meanwhile the Steelers defense really isnt a hell of a lot better then anyone. So what the hell is he doing for the Cowboys. This isn't fantasy football you can't just transport his numbers and say look. Cause unfortunately you have to deal with his attitude which clearly is ***. Giving Pickens a contract is a nightmare. Hell you can use his third on another talented ******* next year. At least he will be cheap for another three before you have to dump him.

 

[Punxsutawney]

They've got 5 losses and a tie in a division with the SB champion and at least two teams are making playoffs in the west and south. They are cooked 3-5-1 or 4-5-1. Point being he is with CD Lamb and a much better QB. Meanwhile the Steelers defense really isnt a hell of a lot better then anyone. So what the hell is he doing for the Cowboys. This isn't fantasy football you can't just transport his numbers and say look. Cause unfortunately you have to deal with his attitude which clearly is ***. Giving Pickens a contract is a nightmare. Hell you can use his third on another talented ******* next year. At least he will be cheap for another three before you have to dump him.

Antonio Brown became a bigger problem the bigger is bank account became, as did Terrell Owens with the 49ers and Eagles back in the day.

I might still have rolled the dice on bringing Pickens back just for this season. If they were going to take the step of bringing in Rodgers, they needed to maximize the talent around him.

Jonnu is NOT a WR2, though I fear that might have been their thinking over the summer.

With that being said, good luck to whoever makes a major financial commitment to Pickens next offseason.