A Big Trade Could Be Brewing For The Steelers
The Steelers may have a lot of holes to fill before Training Camp rolls around, but potentially none bigger than Wide Receiver. Besides George Pickens, it’s looking pretty thin in that department for the Steelers. They will almost certainly be drafting one at some point and although it’s been a strength in the past, can you count on that draft pick to make an instant impact? The Steelers have been rumored to be seeking a trade for a big-name pass catcher. Who will it be?
Brandon Aiyuk
This is the white whale. It's the ultimate prize if you’re the Steelers. We all saw what Brandon Aiyuk did to Pittsburgh in last season’s opener, grabbing all eight of his targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns on Patrick Peterson’s head on his way to winning NFC Offensive Player Of The Week. It was tough to watch, but imagine him doing it in black and gold.
Aiyuk was the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is 26 years old, searching for a contract after this season. Many people have speculated that he will end up being shipped out of San Francisco, but nothing is set in stone yet unless you listen to that babbling buffoon John Frascella, who seems to think he’s a Steelers insider these days.
Aiyuk is coming off a monster season that saw him play and start in 16 games catching 75 passes on 105 targets for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 17.9 yards per reception, just second behind the guy that the Steelers would pair him with, George Pickens. Aiyuk finished the season seventh in the NFL in receiving yards and ninth in receiving yards per game. He would make the Steeler's offense scary.
Tyler Lockett
While he might not be the shiny toy that Aiyuk currently is, Tyler Lockett would bring a new dimension to the Steeler's offense. He’s currently 31 years old and turns 32 in September. Somehow, Lockett is only a one-time Pro Bowler and it was in his rookie season when he also was an All-Pro.
Lockett has put together a great career for himself. Among active players, Lockett is third in All Purpose Yards, 10th in Receiving Touchdowns, and 13th in Receiving Yards. Why not link back up with the Quarterback that you had the most success with?
He’s a nine-year NFL veteran and has four 1,000+ yard seasons under his belt to this point. With DK Metcalf and the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is Lockett slowly being squeezed out in Seattle? Lockett started all 17 games for the Seahawks last season, catching 79 passes for 894 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per reception and 52.6 yards per game.
Courtland Sutton
Nobody knows what Sean Payton and the Broncos are cooking there in Denver. Despite shipping Jerry Jeudy off to the Browns, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility for Peyton to completely reshape the receiver room. If they’re willing to move him, Courtland Sutton could be a match made in heaven for the Steelers.
Sutton is 28 years old and a six-year NFL veteran. Despite being injury-riddled at times, He is a solid receiver to have. He was also Russell Wilson’s favorite target in his short time in Denver. Last season with Wilson, Sutton caught 59 passes for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 13.1 yards per reception and 48.3 yards per game.
Among active players, Sutton ranks 11th in Yards per Reception with 14.3. His 10 touchdowns last season were good for fourth in the entire NFL. He’s only a one-time Pro Bowler, but pairing him up with Pickens could open up a new world for Sutton.
Steelers Hungry For Star Receiver
Many have reported that the Steelers have been snooping around, looking for a star pass catcher to trade for, and if any of these guys become available it’s hard to imagine Omar Khan doesn’t pull the trigger. We know how aggressive he likes to be, and he wants to bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Pittsburgh. These guys could all help him do that.