Outside Help Incoming? Steelers Potential WR Additions After Pickens Deal
May is usually one of the quieter months on the NFL calendar. The draft is in the rearview, and most teams have shifted focus to offseason workouts and rookie minicamps. But that calm was broken after 24 hours of renewed rumblings about a potential George Pickens trade — and the Steelers and Cowboys went ahead and made it official. Pittsburgh sent Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Now that the main phases of talent acquisition are behind us, some might argue the Steelers’ current wide receiver room feels eerily similar to how it looked heading into 2024 — and that’s not exactly reassuring. With the team aiming to strike a balance between contending now and retooling for the future, don’t be surprised if they explore options via free agency or the trade market to find another piece to line up alongside DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin.
With that being the case, we might as well dive into some names the Steelers could look to add here in the near future.
Dontayvion Wick (Trade)
2024 Stats | 39 REC – 415 YDS – 5 TD
The 2025 fifth-round pick has already outperformed his draft slot. Through two years as a pro, the former Virginia Cavalier has recorded 995 yards and 9 touchdowns while operating in a rotational role. As a player, Wicks is a sublime route runner who, despite his sturdy 6’1″, 206-pound frame, creates separation with ease — evidenced by analytics from PFF that had him leading the league with a 75.44% separation rate through ten weeks of the 2024 season. He also brings inside-outside versatility, logging 62.8% of his snaps out wide and 35.6% from the slot last year. The concern with Wicks lies in his hands: a 17% drop rate in 2024 and just a 21.4% contested catch conversion raise real questions about reliability in traffic.
Dontayvion Wicks is that guy
I will not be convinced otherwise pic.twitter.com/OcHrLX2bD2
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 19, 2025
Romeo Doubs (Trade)
2024 Stats | 46 REC – 601 YDS – 4 TD
Sticking with the theme of Packers Day 3 receivers, the Steelers could look to make a move for former fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs — a steady producer who’s totaled 1,700 yards and 5 touchdowns through his first three seasons in the league. Doubs brings another bigger-bodied presence to the room at 6’2″, 204 pounds and would naturally complement DK Metcalf on the outside, having lined up there for 83.1% of his career snaps. While he’s far from a star, Doubs has some intriguing traits, particularly his contested catch ability, which has improved each year and climbed to a solid 64.7% in 2024 — a skill that could help offset what the Steelers lost with the departure of George Pickens.
ROMEO DOUBS 🤯
pic.twitter.com/FbZ2mDVaLX— PFF (@PFF) October 31, 2022
Amari Cooper (Free Agency)
Most of us are well-acquainted with Amari Cooper and his game — he’s been a fixture in NFL circles for a decade. An accomplished veteran with 10,033 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns to his name, Cooper’s earned four Pro Bowl nods throughout his career. However, 2024 marked his least productive season to date, totaling just 547 yards and 4 touchdowns while splitting time between the Browns and the Bills. The real question is whether that dip was simply the new normal for a player nearing 31 years old, or if it was just a down year disrupted by a mid-season trade. That’s the evaluation the Steelers would need to make if they were considering bringing Cooper into the fold — but given his pedigree, he’s the type of player worth taking a swing on to help fill the void left on the roster.
Gabe Davis (Free Agent)
2024 Stats | 20 REC – 239 YDS – 2 TD
A guy who was released by the Jaguars just hours after the Steelers moved on from Pickens, Gabe Davis could provide Pittsburgh with another big-bodied deep threat — and a chance to rediscover the form he showed in Buffalo. He’s the prototypical receiver for an Arthur Smith system: someone who can stretch the field vertically and contribute in the run game. During his time with the Bills, Davis consistently ranked among the league’s better deep threats, averaging between 15.7 and 17.4 yards per reception over a four-year span. He’s also a solid blocker, using his size effectively when called upon — another trait that fits what the Steelers may be looking for. Likely to be available on a minimum deal (as he’s still owed money from Jacksonville), the 26-year-old will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous 2024 season, and Pittsburgh could be the team to take that swing.
Jaguars release WR Gabe Davis. pic.twitter.com/NeQ9cEH4Pr
— NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2025
All in all, the Steelers making the trade was a solid process — getting real value for a player they clearly didn’t view as part of their long-term plans. That said, this team still plans to compete in 2025, so don’t be surprised if they make another move to strengthen the receiver room.
If that does happen, how do you feel about the names I’ve thrown out? Or maybe you’ve got a few better options in mind? If so, I’m all ears — drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Of the listed options, I prefer Wick particularly for the future. Packers have said they aren’t likely to trade any of their assets at present, so cost would be high. D.J. Moore may be easier to trade for. Cooper is probably the best of the FA options. Good list of FAs at Sharp Analysis website. I’m not a fan of Gabe Davis’ hands.
Out of those options, I’d be most inclined to go after Gabe Davis. If not him, Cooper. I’m not sure why the Packers would part with either of their guys listed unless we overpay in trade.
Yes. Packers would absolutely make Pgh pay a premium for either Wicks or Doubs.
I like Davis too. But he was released on a failed physical, so there are some kind of injury concerns.
Davis unfortunately suffered a torn meniscus. Cooper also suffered an undisclosed injury last season, to be clear. The current FA WR market is uninspiring, overall
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a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s if Steelers Omar Khan is looking for wide receivers to replace George Pickens checkout the talent at the U.F.L. or H.B.C.U.
UFL can be checked, Ed. Note that fellows such as Hakeem Butler, Tyler Vaughns, and Deion Cain are options and that their addition to the team will be late
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The steelers already spun their wheels on Hakeem Butler a few years ago. Its unlikely they would use a spot on him now.
Exactly my point, A E., likewise w/ Vaughn and Cain. UFL ain’t exactly the AAA-level of MLB for the NFL. Then sometimes guys like Parham pop up, too.
I lean towards Keenan Allen as a one-year replacement for Pickens. Big receiver, still has a lot in the tank at age 33 (70 catches for 700+ yards last year in Chicago), willing blocker. Best of all he’s a true professional and would be a solid influence in that locker room. If there’s one thing PIT’s WR room needs, it’s a high-character veteran to help younger guys like Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin and even DK Metcalf hone their craft and learn to be a pro.
It’s funny you include Metcalf in the younger guys. I think he’s that veteran. This will be his 7th season in the NFL.
Not that I’m opposed to adding Allen.
Agreed. Sad if Metcalf isn’t non-voltile and responsible by season seven…then there once was this AB guy…
non-volatile, OOPS.
Metcalf is a veteran for sure, but he’s still just 27 years old. There’s a lot he could learn from having a guy like Allen around.
Agreed, Coach, unfortunately. Some people, never fully mature. Me, for instance.
I don’t want to see a trade for anyone. If they want to land a FA right now, fine, but there will be more vets released when rosters get trimmed down, so I’m in no hurry.
JoeB, that’s my Hail Mary way to acquire D.J. Moore. Pie-in-the-sky, yes…keep this close to the vest, okay?
I look at Houston and right now they have 12 WR’s on the roster not counting UDFA’s. I am thinking with the two Iowa State WR’s being drafted, they have to be looking at moving on from Tank Dell, John Metchie, or Christian Kirk. They Steelers almost had Kirk last year so there was interest and Houston only used a 7th to get him. He is probably more of another slot but he is a pro and he is on the right side of 30.
I hear ya, JSegursky. Dell’s too similar to CAIII to me. Kirk, like Cooper and Davis was hurt last year…Kirk/ Metchie may be worthy of inquiry.