We will never get to see what DK Metcalf and George Pickens could have done to terrorize defenses. After a much maligned 2024 season, the Steelers opted to forego any hold-in/hold-out drama with Pickens due for a contract extension this summer by trading him to the Cowboys.
While the biggest catalyst for drama is now out of the locker room, so is an immensely talented wide receiver. Given the state of the position without Pickens, the Steelers have to once again look externally for reinforcements.
After Metcalf, the Steelers' receiving corps consists of Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller. Other options currently under contract include practice squad candidates Brandon Johnson and Lance McCutcheon, as well as undrafted free-agent signings Roc Taylor and Ke'Shawn Williams out of Indiana.
Of that group, Austin is a solid No. 3 option on the depth chart, having the ability to play outside or in the slot. Woods has had some very productive years as a versatile weapon with the Rams, but he's 33 years old and his best days are behind him. Wilson shouldn't be forgotten just because he missed all of his rookie season due to multiple injuries. The Steelers still expect good things from the first of two 2024 third-round picks, though Wilson's role is most likely going to be in the slot. Everyone else are depth options and not to be thought of as serious contenders to leapfrog everyone else except Metcalf on the depth chart.
What options are still available for the Steelers? With it still being early May, there are multiple options on the table in both free agency and the trade market. The Steelers have plenty of cap space to add just about any receiver on this list, and with a projected 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, they have plenty of capital to use in a potential trade for a receiver.
Below isn't an exhaustive list of all of the potential candidates, but we can at least get a snapshot of who's still available:
As a five-time Pro Bowler with more than 10,000 receiving yards in his career, Cooper's resume speaks for itself. But, there's a reason that he's only 30 years old and still a free agent in May. He dealt with injuries last season, including a wrist issue, and his production dipped dramatically from back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022-23. Even so, if the Steelers feel comfortable with the health concerns, he could be an option that can immediately play on the outside opposite of Metcalf. And, because the Steelers already have a bonafide No. 1 receiver, they don't need Cooper to be the guy he used to be.
Allen is another veteran free agent whose best days are behind him. He already wasn't a burner to begin with, but that's especially true at 33 years old. He is still a capable slot receiver who can find holes against zone coverage and move the chains on third downs. However, his days of being effective from anywhere else other than in the slot appear to be over. Unless the Steelers would plan for Austin to be the primary second outside receiver with Allen as the primary slot option, this doesn't appear to make a ton of sense. Even then, what happens to Wilson and Woods?
GABE DAVIS
Age: 26 2024 stats: 10 games, 20 receptions, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns Contract status: Released by Jaguars
It was buried by the news of Pickens being traded, but Davis was released by the Jaguars on Wednesday morning. After catching 101 passes for 1,729 yards and nine touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Bills, the Jaguars signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract last offseason. However, things obviously didn't work out. He missed seven games due to injury, and wasn't much of a factor when he was healthy. However, the Jaguars were a mess last season, so how much stock should be taken in his performance? The one thing Davis does is stretch the field, posting a 16.1 average depth of target throughout his five-year career. Having Davis would at least bring back the same principle of forcing defenses to play with two-high looks more often to prevent getting beaten over the top by either Metcalf or Davis. And, because the Jaguars ate $20.3 million of dead cap to release him, so the Steelers could sign him for a bargain.
Boyd is a free agent, but he doesn't make a ton of sense for the Steelers. He's a slot receiver, of which the team already has plenty. While he was on a horrific Titans team last season, his production has dipped in each of the past four seasons, three of which were in a high-powered Bengals passing attack. Given his ties to the Pittsburgh area, Boyd will be rumored to the Steelers as long as he's a free agent and the team is looking to add a receiver. However, the team can shoot a lot higher here.
ALLEN LAZARD
Age: 29 2024 stats: 12 games, 37 receptions, 530 yards, 6 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Jets
Lazard might have already shut down rumors of potentially being traded by the Jets, but as long as the Steelers search for another receiver addition and Aaron Rodgers is tied to the team, Lazard will be talked about quite a bit. The two have an obvious connection, and he's been productive when Rodgers has been his quarterback. The obvious question, as it is with any other potential trade targets, is if Lazard will actually be available for trade. It wouldn't surprise me if Omar Khan picked up the phone to call about Lazard or any other receiver discussed here. He wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't. But, if the Jets say Lazard's not available, then so be it.
D.J. MOORE
Age: 28 2024 stats: 17 games, 98 receptions, 966 yards, 6 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Bears
Moore is tricky. The Bears have not been shopping him, but their recent moves suggest they may be willing to at least listen to trade offers. They drafted Rome Odunze in the first round last year. This year, they drafted Colston Loveland in the first round and Luther Burden III in the second round. With Odunze and Burden at receiver and Loveland and Cole Kmet at tight end, how much football is there to go around? Plus, Burden's game is very similar to Moore's. Taking on Moore's contract is very affordable. Any acquiring team would be on the hook for a $20.9 million cap hit in 2025, then a $23.74 million cap hit in each of the four following seasons. That's a very fair price for a No. 2 receiver, especially with how much the cap is increasing year after year. Should the Bears actually entertain trading Moore, they'd be better off waiting until after June 1. If they trade him before, they'll lose $35.24 million in cap space for 2025. If they do a post-June 1 trade, the Bears instead save $12.9 million.
TYREEK HILL
Age: 31 2024 stats: 17 games, 81 receptions, 959 yards, 6 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Dolphins
Hill has previously been on the Steelers' radar, even as recently as last season when they were trying to land a receiver to pair with Pickens. However, the Dolphins signed him to an extension, making any trade much more difficult. However, that hasn't stopped Hill from being very open about wanting to leave Miami, thrusting him into any potential trade scenarios. With the Steelers making moves that have gotten rid of headaches off the field, I have my doubts that they'd be willing to take on Hill, who has his own unique set of off-the-field issues.
JAKOBI MEYERS
Age: 28 2024 stats: 15 games, 87 receptions, 1,027 yards, 4 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Raiders
Meyers is another player that hasn't been openly shopped by his current team, but the Raiders could try to cash in on his current value, which has never been higher. Plus, they just drafted Jack Bech, who's similar to Meyers, and the Raiders are going to be a run-heavy team with Ashton Jeanty in the backfield. Meyers is still a couple years away from turning 30 and he's coming off his first 1,000-yard season despite playing on a bad, bad football team. Also, he was targeted 126 times and dropped zero passes. His cap hit would be a very affordable $10.75 million should be be acquired, and he's young enough to consider a second contract.
CHRISTIAN KIRK
Age: 28 2024 stats: 8 games, 27 receptions, 379 yards, 1 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Texans
The Steelers tried to land Kirk in a trade prior to the deadline last season, but his season-ending injury kept that from happening. When the Jaguars were expected to release him earlier this offseason, the Steelers were interested. But, the Texans parted with a seventh-round pick and snagged Kirk in a trade before he hit the open market. However, the Texans now have a receiver room that includes Kirk, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. That is a very crowded room. If the Texans can flip Kirk for anything better than a seventh-round pick, that's a win for them. Kirk has been a productive player when healthy, and he's a versatile guy that can play both outside and in the slot like Austin, but has a much better track record with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. He'd immediately be better than any other receiver currently in the room besides Metcalf.
ROMEO DOUBS
Age: 25 2024 stats: 13 games, 46 receptions, 601 yards, 4 touchdowns Contract status: Signed with Packers
Doubs is another receiver that's now in a crowded room with his current team. Despite Christian Watson expected to miss the majority of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, if not all of it, the Packers added Mecole Hardman to the mix, and they drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. They could entertain trade offers for Doubs, who played with Rodgers during his rookie season in 2022. Doubs would be very affordable at $3.41 million and he's very young, but he's entering the final year of his rookie contract. If the Steelers were to acquire him, would this be a long-term addition? Or just let him play out the rest of his contract and let him walk?
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
12:34 am - 05.08.2025South SideWith Pickens traded, the search for WR2 is on
We will never get to see what DK Metcalf and George Pickens could have done to terrorize defenses. After a much maligned 2024 season, the Steelers opted to forego any hold-in/hold-out drama with Pickens due for a contract extension this summer by trading him to the Cowboys.
While the biggest catalyst for drama is now out of the locker room, so is an immensely talented wide receiver. Given the state of the position without Pickens, the Steelers have to once again look externally for reinforcements.
After Metcalf, the Steelers' receiving corps consists of Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller. Other options currently under contract include practice squad candidates Brandon Johnson and Lance McCutcheon, as well as undrafted free-agent signings Roc Taylor and Ke'Shawn Williams out of Indiana.
Of that group, Austin is a solid No. 3 option on the depth chart, having the ability to play outside or in the slot. Woods has had some very productive years as a versatile weapon with the Rams, but he's 33 years old and his best days are behind him. Wilson shouldn't be forgotten just because he missed all of his rookie season due to multiple injuries. The Steelers still expect good things from the first of two 2024 third-round picks, though Wilson's role is most likely going to be in the slot. Everyone else are depth options and not to be thought of as serious contenders to leapfrog everyone else except Metcalf on the depth chart.
What options are still available for the Steelers? With it still being early May, there are multiple options on the table in both free agency and the trade market. The Steelers have plenty of cap space to add just about any receiver on this list, and with a projected 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, they have plenty of capital to use in a potential trade for a receiver.
Below isn't an exhaustive list of all of the potential candidates, but we can at least get a snapshot of who's still available:
AMARI COOPER
Age: 30
2024 stats: 14 games, 44 receptions, 547 yards, 4 touchdowns
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
As a five-time Pro Bowler with more than 10,000 receiving yards in his career, Cooper's resume speaks for itself. But, there's a reason that he's only 30 years old and still a free agent in May. He dealt with injuries last season, including a wrist issue, and his production dipped dramatically from back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022-23. Even so, if the Steelers feel comfortable with the health concerns, he could be an option that can immediately play on the outside opposite of Metcalf. And, because the Steelers already have a bonafide No. 1 receiver, they don't need Cooper to be the guy he used to be.
KEENAN ALLEN
Age: 33
2024 stats: 15 games, 70 receptions, 744 yards, 7 touchdowns
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Allen is another veteran free agent whose best days are behind him. He already wasn't a burner to begin with, but that's especially true at 33 years old. He is still a capable slot receiver who can find holes against zone coverage and move the chains on third downs. However, his days of being effective from anywhere else other than in the slot appear to be over. Unless the Steelers would plan for Austin to be the primary second outside receiver with Allen as the primary slot option, this doesn't appear to make a ton of sense. Even then, what happens to Wilson and Woods?
GABE DAVIS
Age: 26
2024 stats: 10 games, 20 receptions, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns
Contract status: Released by Jaguars
It was buried by the news of Pickens being traded, but Davis was released by the Jaguars on Wednesday morning. After catching 101 passes for 1,729 yards and nine touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Bills, the Jaguars signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract last offseason. However, things obviously didn't work out. He missed seven games due to injury, and wasn't much of a factor when he was healthy. However, the Jaguars were a mess last season, so how much stock should be taken in his performance? The one thing Davis does is stretch the field, posting a 16.1 average depth of target throughout his five-year career. Having Davis would at least bring back the same principle of forcing defenses to play with two-high looks more often to prevent getting beaten over the top by either Metcalf or Davis. And, because the Jaguars ate $20.3 million of dead cap to release him, so the Steelers could sign him for a bargain.
TYLER BOYD
Age: 30
2024 stats: 16 games, 39 receptions, 390 yards, 0 touchdowns
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Boyd is a free agent, but he doesn't make a ton of sense for the Steelers. He's a slot receiver, of which the team already has plenty. While he was on a horrific Titans team last season, his production has dipped in each of the past four seasons, three of which were in a high-powered Bengals passing attack. Given his ties to the Pittsburgh area, Boyd will be rumored to the Steelers as long as he's a free agent and the team is looking to add a receiver. However, the team can shoot a lot higher here.
ALLEN LAZARD
Age: 29
2024 stats: 12 games, 37 receptions, 530 yards, 6 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Jets
Lazard might have already shut down rumors of potentially being traded by the Jets, but as long as the Steelers search for another receiver addition and Aaron Rodgers is tied to the team, Lazard will be talked about quite a bit. The two have an obvious connection, and he's been productive when Rodgers has been his quarterback. The obvious question, as it is with any other potential trade targets, is if Lazard will actually be available for trade. It wouldn't surprise me if Omar Khan picked up the phone to call about Lazard or any other receiver discussed here. He wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't. But, if the Jets say Lazard's not available, then so be it.
D.J. MOORE
Age: 28
2024 stats: 17 games, 98 receptions, 966 yards, 6 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Bears
Moore is tricky. The Bears have not been shopping him, but their recent moves suggest they may be willing to at least listen to trade offers. They drafted Rome Odunze in the first round last year. This year, they drafted Colston Loveland in the first round and Luther Burden III in the second round. With Odunze and Burden at receiver and Loveland and Cole Kmet at tight end, how much football is there to go around? Plus, Burden's game is very similar to Moore's. Taking on Moore's contract is very affordable. Any acquiring team would be on the hook for a $20.9 million cap hit in 2025, then a $23.74 million cap hit in each of the four following seasons. That's a very fair price for a No. 2 receiver, especially with how much the cap is increasing year after year. Should the Bears actually entertain trading Moore, they'd be better off waiting until after June 1. If they trade him before, they'll lose $35.24 million in cap space for 2025. If they do a post-June 1 trade, the Bears instead save $12.9 million.
TYREEK HILL
Age: 31
2024 stats: 17 games, 81 receptions, 959 yards, 6 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Dolphins
Hill has previously been on the Steelers' radar, even as recently as last season when they were trying to land a receiver to pair with Pickens. However, the Dolphins signed him to an extension, making any trade much more difficult. However, that hasn't stopped Hill from being very open about wanting to leave Miami, thrusting him into any potential trade scenarios. With the Steelers making moves that have gotten rid of headaches off the field, I have my doubts that they'd be willing to take on Hill, who has his own unique set of off-the-field issues.
JAKOBI MEYERS
Age: 28
2024 stats: 15 games, 87 receptions, 1,027 yards, 4 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Raiders
Meyers is another player that hasn't been openly shopped by his current team, but the Raiders could try to cash in on his current value, which has never been higher. Plus, they just drafted Jack Bech, who's similar to Meyers, and the Raiders are going to be a run-heavy team with Ashton Jeanty in the backfield. Meyers is still a couple years away from turning 30 and he's coming off his first 1,000-yard season despite playing on a bad, bad football team. Also, he was targeted 126 times and dropped zero passes. His cap hit would be a very affordable $10.75 million should be be acquired, and he's young enough to consider a second contract.
CHRISTIAN KIRK
Age: 28
2024 stats: 8 games, 27 receptions, 379 yards, 1 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Texans
The Steelers tried to land Kirk in a trade prior to the deadline last season, but his season-ending injury kept that from happening. When the Jaguars were expected to release him earlier this offseason, the Steelers were interested. But, the Texans parted with a seventh-round pick and snagged Kirk in a trade before he hit the open market. However, the Texans now have a receiver room that includes Kirk, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. That is a very crowded room. If the Texans can flip Kirk for anything better than a seventh-round pick, that's a win for them. Kirk has been a productive player when healthy, and he's a versatile guy that can play both outside and in the slot like Austin, but has a much better track record with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. He'd immediately be better than any other receiver currently in the room besides Metcalf.
ROMEO DOUBS
Age: 25
2024 stats: 13 games, 46 receptions, 601 yards, 4 touchdowns
Contract status: Signed with Packers
Doubs is another receiver that's now in a crowded room with his current team. Despite Christian Watson expected to miss the majority of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, if not all of it, the Packers added Mecole Hardman to the mix, and they drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. They could entertain trade offers for Doubs, who played with Rodgers during his rookie season in 2022. Doubs would be very affordable at $3.41 million and he's very young, but he's entering the final year of his rookie contract. If the Steelers were to acquire him, would this be a long-term addition? Or just let him play out the rest of his contract and let him walk?
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