The Pittsburgh Steelers still need a wide receiver to replace Diontae Johnson–Donte Jackson trade. However, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport suggested that Pittsburgh should make a compelling trade offer to the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Davenport suggested the Steelers offer their 2024 first and third-round picks to the 49ers in exchange for the 2023 second-team All-Pro wideout.
According to Davenport, Aiyuk is a better and more established option than anyone who will be available at pick No. 20. 'He and George Pickens would be a powerful duo at the position,' he wrote.'Offering that 20th overall pick would be the best offer the 49ers have received in this hypothetical scenario. Throw in a late third (for a Day 3 pick in return) and it's an offer that Niners general manager John Lynch would have to seriously consider,' Davenport added.
The Steelers do not currently have a wide receiver on their 2024 roster who had more than 209 receiving yards last season, but Aiyuk would solve that problem and more.
Other than In 2023, Aiyuk achieved career-highs of 1,342 receiving yards and 17.9 yards per reception. He also made 75 catches and 7 touchdowns.Acquiring Aiyuk, however, would not only be costly in terms of draft capital.
According to Spotrac, Aiyuk is projected to be worth about $96.1 million on a 4-year contract, giving the 26-year-old receiver an average annual salary of over $24 million.
Reasons for the Steelers' Interest in WR Brandon Aiyuk It's quite clear why the Steelers are interested in Aiyuk. The Steelers have signed
Van Jefferson
Quez Watkins
While since trading Johnson, but those two wideouts combined for only 351 receiving yards in 2023. Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger argued and added on April 2 that even with Jefferson and Watkins, not only do the Steelers not have a starting receiver opposite Pickens, they also lack a No. 3 wideout. With Aiyuk, the Steelers would secure one of the top receivers available this offseason. As
Davenport pointed out , Aiyuk and Pickens would form a dynamic duo.
Aiyuk averaged 17.9 yards per reception, while he led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch in 2023.The Downside of Trading for Aiyuk
Acquiring Aiyuk would turn the Steelers' receiver room from one of the weakest to possibly one of the best in the NFL, but it would come at a significant cost. Pickens led Aside from needing a starting receiver,
the Steelers are lacking
a center on their current roster. The team also needs to
improve at offensive tackle and cornerback. If the Steelers trade their first and third-round picks for Aiyuk, it will be much harder for them to draft impact players at their other positions. General manager Omar Khan would also likely forgo the opportunity to select Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson or Duke's Graham Barton Many experts consider
these two prospects the top centers in the 2024 class. Khan might consider selecting West Virginia center Zach Frazier, but Frazier might also be off the draft board when the Steelers pick in the second round at No. 51 overall.. It's a bit difficult to imagine the Steelers giving up two top picks for Aiyuk, considering the limited options for starting centers in the draft and the thin free agency market for that position. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report suggested a trade in which the Pittsburgh Steelers acquire Brandon Aiyuk, a wide receiver who made the second-team All-Pro.
Khan could turn his attention to West Virginia center Zach Frazier. But Frazier may not still be on the draft board either when the Steelers select in the second round at No. 51 overall.
The lack of immediate other starting center options in the draft and the thin center market left in free agency makes it a little hard to envision the Steelers trading two top picks for Aiyuk.
