With the addition of D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, some feel much-maligned receiver George Pickens is expendable.
But the Steelers would be wise to get the most possible for Pickens, and Pro Football Focus thinks it found the perfect trade partner.
Mason Cameron of PFF can see Pittsburgh and Denver cutting a deal.
"Enter: George Pickens. The Steelers acquired DK Metcalf via trade and subsequently extended the former Seattle Seahawks receiver with a massive deal worth over $30 million annually. Given the unlikelihood of Pittsburgh allocating even more money at the position - with looming extension talks for T.J. Watt on the horizon - the probability of a Pickens trade is high," Cameron wrote.
"Metcalf and Pickens largely share similar skill sets as downfield threats that can win at the catch point, and with the latter's contract set to expire after this season, teams will be interested."
Cameron also discusses why Pickens would be a good fit in Denver, especially with the contract situation of Courtland Sutton.
"With Courtland Sutton's contract set to expire after this season and the longtime Bronco set to turn 30 years old this season, Denver could look to get younger with Pickens. Like Metcalf, Pickens and Sutton share a similar profile, as both ranked above the 78th percentile in average depth of target over the last three seasons.
"The biggest difference comes in their ability to win against single coverage, where Pickens has charted in the 74th percentile over that same span, while Sutton lands in the 47th percentile."
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A trade of Pickens seems likely, and if he's going to be shipped out of town it might as well be now. He's just 24 and will play out the final year of his current contract in 2025.
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This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 10:17 AM.