When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, they added a level of credibility and potency the passing offense hasn't seen in years. It was an aggressive move fans and pundits have dared the Steeles to make for years, and it will make life easier on whoever is under center in 2025.
But it also demands several questions be answered, especially as it relates to receiver George Pickens and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pairing Metcalf with Pickens creates one of the most talented receiving duos in the sport, although their redundant skill sets could prove to be untenable in the long term. With Pickens entering a contract year – and Metcalf signed for five more seasons – a departure seems inevitable (but perhaps not imminent).
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
As such, two key positions have emerged as the Steelers' first-round draft plan, according to Ray Fittipaldo.
"I don't think the Jaxson Dart or the [Shedeur] Sanders thing is gonna happen," Fittipaldo said. "Pretty much down to receiver and D-Line, and I think the only way a receiver would be in play at 21 is if they're gonna turn around and trade George [Pickens] on draft day. So I think that's a possibility."
Trading Pickens isn't ideal for the 2025 Pittsburgh offense, hoping to elevate a veteran quarterback to meaningful January football. But on the chaos of Day 1 of the NFL Draft, nothing is out of the question.
It's worth considering a receiver in Round 1. Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan might fall, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka would fit in the slot, and Texas' Matthew Golden's Combine performance should boost his stock. They should be taken to amplify Pickens, not replace him – at least in Year 1.
There's validity to wanting to ensure a second strong receiver is in the building for a post-Pickens world. Yet, trading Pickens only kneecaps the progress made this offseason.
Related: NFL Draft's Deepest Positions Help Steelers
Elsewhere, the defensive line class boasts several names for Pittsburgh to plug and play to improve the run defense and reinforce the pass rush. Oregon's Derrick Harmon has been a common fit, with Mississippi's Walter Nolen, Ohio State's Tyleik Williams, and Michigan's Kenneth Grant finding their way into first-round mock drafts.
This path would allow Pittsburgh to backfill Cameron Heyward's eventual replacement while making life easier for the rest of the defensive line. Keeanu Benton has flashed and Heyward was dominant in 2024, but the run defense struggled at times, and reinforcements aren't coming at linebacker.
As things stand, that probably makes an interior lineman the Steelers' top priority come April 24.
Related: Steelers Draft ‘Next Najee'?
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM.