With trade talks surrounding Brandon Aiyuk seemingly stalled, it may be time for the Steelers to look for other wide receivers. Of course, San Francisco’s Pro Bowl wide receiver should be at the top of the team’s priority list, but there has to be a plan B because, with all due respect to Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh can’t start the season with George Pickens as their only pass receiver. So where might the Steelers go if Aiyuk is out? Below, I’ve outlined 5 possible directions the Steelers can go to improve their wide receiver room.
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Darius Slayton
While the name may not be as flashy as Aiyuk, the 2019 fifth-round pick could be exactly what the Steelers need. Slayton is entering his sixth season, and while he doesn’t have All-Pro numbers, he has rushed for over 700 yards in four of the previous five seasons, proving he can perform at the NFL level. So he could be the perfect complement to George Pickens in Arthur Smith’s offense without jeopardizing the top wide receiver position. Fortunately, signing Slayton through a trade wouldn’t cost much, but he will be seeking a contract extension, and while his extension wouldn’t be unheard of, it’s money worth thinking about. If Pittsburgh wants a solid secondary wideout with a high floor, Darius Slayton is their man.
Jahan Dotson
It’s no secret that Jahan Dotson hasn’t lived up to the expectations expected of a 16th overall pick in Washington, but a change of scenery might be just what the former Nittany Lion needs. Although he’s shown he can be a key contributor in his two seasons in the league, there are rumors that the organization is unhappy with his development. In his first season, Dotson completed 35 passes for 523 yards and 7 scores in 12 games, very respectable numbers, but he followed that up with a weak sophomore season. Washington also sees a new regime take over that has no emotional attachment to the wide receiver, so parting ways with him wouldn’t be an admission of their own mistakes, but rather a correction of the former front office’s mistakes. Additionally, there’s serious competition in the Commanders’ wide receiver room, with Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey and Olamide Zaccheaus all vying for the spots. Therefore, it’s not too far-fetched that Washington would part ways with Dotson, and for a team like Pittsburgh that needs receivers, this is the perfect consolation prize for Aiyuk.
John Metchie III
Metchie was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Texans and missed his entire rookie season after an unexpected cancer diagnosis, but returned in 2023. Unfortunately, the receiver only caught 16 passes for 158 yards and now finds himself in a room with Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and veteran Robert Woods. Just too many names and just one ball, so it might be in Houston’s best interest to get some compensation for him, especially after his performance yesterday against the Giants. Metchie caught 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the skills he showed in college. So a young receiver who has never really gotten a chance in a very crowded room could be the solution to the Steelers’ depleted lineup. It’s also important to note that Pittsburgh will send a pick to acquire Metchie and then immediately trade him to San Francisco for Aiyuk because the 49ers want a pass catcher in return. For the purposes of this article, however, we’ll assume the Steelers are making this move to give Metchie the opportunity to become the team’s secondary wide receiver and provide immediate production.
Juju Smith-Schuster
A reunion with an old friend could be a welcome move for the Steelers, as Juju Smith-Schuster would be the cheapest option. Smith-Schuster was recently released by the Patriots and not only does he not need to be traded, but he is also not too expensive, as New England still owes him $7 million. While it seems like a no-brainer given his knowledge of the playbook and the team’s approach, he is not the same guy who wore No. 19 three seasons ago. Over the past three years, he has caught 122 passes, rushed for 1322 yards and 4 touchdowns, so he is by no means bringing superstar talent to the roster. Whatever, he brings a veteran player who can handle the secondary pass receiver duties and also move into the third role if someone else takes off. So if the team doesn’t feel like spending draft picks or other players to fill the spot, Juju basically fell into their laps.
Ceedee Lamb
Don’t get me wrong, that seems a bit over the top, but just hear me out. Ceedee Lamb and Jerry Jones can’t agree on a contract, and things are ugly, with mutual jibes and an ongoing strike. To make matters worse, Dallas has to find a way to pay not just Lamb, but Micah Parsons and maybe Dak Prescott as well. The math might not add up, and as good as Lamb is, it might be in Jones’ best interest to trade away a star to pay the other two. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a move that would shake up the league, and Pittsburgh would not only fork over a ton of picks, but maybe some players, and of course pay Lamb top dollar with a contract extension. But the Steelers have shown they want a star wide receiver and are willing to do whatever it takes to get one, so if the Aiyuk well dries up, GM Omar Khan’s next stop could be Dallas Texas.
There are clearly a plethora of ways the Steelers can improve their wide receiver corps. Some of them are super expensive, others are extremely cheap. And with the roster cut deadline fast approaching, even more options could emerge. No matter which route they choose, there’s simply no getting around the fact that the roster needs to be improved if Pittsburgh wants to be competitive in the tough AFC North. The front office has a lot of work to do, and it will be interesting to see what the end result is. But don’t be surprised if you see any of these five in black and gold on September 8th.
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