DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
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(Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders are lacking a No. 1 receiver, and with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Silver and Black can select one who has the potential to be that go-to guy. However, the Raiders could go the trade route if they want.
When it comes to potential receivers that could be on the move if the price is right, FanSided’s Christopher Kline sees the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ DK Metcalf in a compelling trade pitch that would allow the Raiders to fill that WR1 role.
In his trade idea, Kline sees the Raiders giving up a 2027 second-round pick for Metcalf, and he explains why this potential deal makes sense for both sides.
“The Steelers probably won’t trade DK Metcalf, who’s still the clear No. 1 receiver in an otherwise weak room,”Kline wrote in his article that was published on April 8. “That said, there’s enough smoke floating through the rumor mill to at least discuss the possibility. Metcalf technically has four years on his contract, but there’s an out after 2026.
“He’s a superhuman athlete, but not the most diverse route-runner, which could conflict with Mike McCarthy’s new vision for the offense. Moreover, Pittsburgh has the 21st pick in this month’s draft and could select Metcalf’s replacement. It could also use a second-round pick next summer to potentially target Aaron Rodgers’ replacement in a deep QB class.
“Enter the Raiders, who will want to put Fernando Mendoza in the best possible position to succeed as a rookie — or who will be attempting to win games with Kirk Cousins, depending on how Klint Kubiak wants to play it. In either case, Metcalf gives the Raiders some much-needed star power at a position of need.”
Kirk Cousins Gets Blunt About Raiders’ Brock Bowers
While the Raiders lack a WR1, they have a high-end pass catcher in Brock Bowers. Despite an injury-plagued 2025 season,Brock Bowers finished with a 78.8 overall PFF grade, ranking sixth among 37 qualified tight ends. His receiving grade of 82.2 placed him fifth in that group.
Bowers caught 64 passes on 83 targets for 680 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 10.6 yards per reception. Moreover, he gained 296 yards after the catch and had three drops on the season.
One QB who could be getting the ball to Bowers next season is Kirk Cousins.In a video published on the Raiders’ YouTube channel on April 6, Cousins didn’t hold back his thoughts on the tight end.
“I think he may be the best tight end in football,” Cousins said. “Hopefully, we can make that a reality this fall, but we’ve got to keep him healthy, just like some of the other great players on this team.”
Brock Bowers Gets More Praise from Kirk Cousins
Moreover, Cousins went into specifics about what makes Bowers a talented tight end and why the veteran QB is eager to start playing with the pass-catcher in the upcoming 2026 season.
“He gives us the ability to use a lot of different personnel groupings, which can allow us to be very creative with how we attack defenses,” Cousins added. “I’ve always really enjoyed playing with talented tight ends because of the curveball they throw at defenses.
“I expect Brock to be as good of a curveball as I’ve ever played with, and I can’t wait to see how we can use him. Getting on the grass with him and even running routes in the air is going to be exciting to watch a guy like that go to work.”