Steelers Could Ignite Offense In 2025 With 3 Under The Radar Trade Moves

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a pair of stunning trades so far during the 2025 offseason, and both moves revolved around the wide receiver position. Pittsburgh acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, but the organization then traded away George Pickens about two months later. Moving on from Pickens put Pittsburgh in a similar spot to where the franchise was in 2024. The roster has one really good wide receiver, but there are some questions about the players behind him on the depth chart.

To avoid being in a similar situation to the 2024 season, General Manager Omar Khan should probably begin to consider making a move to acquire another wide receiver. There are some quality free agents still available, including veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Gabe Davis. Any of those three players are an option, as are some potential trade candidates around the league. Pittsburgh could trade for some big name wide receiver from around the league, but that is extremely unlikely, so the list below will entail some under the radar type players that might be buried on a depth chart elsewhere.

John Metchie III

John Metchie III is an exciting player for the Houston Texans with a ton of speed and burst. He was a second-round pick for Houston in the 2022 NFL Draft, and his career has gotten off to a slow start. He has recorded just 412 yards and one touchdown thus far. He was forced to sit out of his rookie season after being diagnosed with a form of cancer. He was able to come back in 2023, but he has struggled to find his footing. Houston has Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Tank Dell, and the organization just drafted Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Metchie is buried on the depth chart, and he is going into a contract year. This makes him a perfect trade candidate.

Trey Palmer

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers probably have one of the better wide receiver groups in the NFL, and that is largely due to Mike Evans. Behind Evans is Chris Godwin, who is recovering from an ankle injury, but the team also sees playing time from Sterling Shepherd and Jalen McMillan. Add first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka into that equation, and Trey Palmer is certainly the odd-man out.

Palmer has been a reliable receiver for Tampa Bay as he has recorded 557 yards and two touchdowns over the last two seasons with limited opportunities. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and Pittsburgh could bring him in to see if he works out in the rotation.

KJ Osborn

KJ Osborn was talked about leading up to the 2024 season and throughout the regular season itself. The wide receiver was fairly efficient at the beginning of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, but he wasn't really given an opportunity with the New England Patriots. He has now signed with the Washington Commanders, and he is the seventh wide receiver in that room. This makes him expendable, and the Steelers should show some interest, like they should have in 2024.

Steelers Need To Go Wide Receiver Shopping In New England

The New England Patriots have an interesting and young crop of wide receivers, and the Steelers should certainly take interest in the group. The organization drafted two wide receivers in 2024, and both had fairly disappointing rookie years. Those two players are Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, who were second and fourth-round picks, respectively. New England has a new head coach in 2025 who isn't going to be as attached to those two wide receivers, and the organization also brought in Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and drafted Kyle Williams.

Moving on from either Polk or Baker is a real possibility for New England, with Baker being the more likely of the two options as Polk was the 37th overall selection in 2024.

What do you think about these trade options for Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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