Free agent wide receiver options for the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to decrease as other teams sign new wide receivers. However, more potential receiver trade targets are emerging. For example, the Tennessee Titans recently signed veteran receiver who was often linked to the Steelers in free agency. Even though Boyd isn’t coming to Pittsburgh, it is now possible that the former first-round Titans receiver Tyler Boyd, who was Treylon Burksmay be available for a trade. According to Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson, the Steelers are a top landing spot for Burks if he becomes available. Robinson described Burks as potentially offering untapped potential for the Steelers because of his size and abilities.
The Titans drafted Burks at No. 18 overall in the 2022 NFL draft
. In his two seasons in the NFL, he has only recorded 49 receptions, 665 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown. AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton referred to Burks as a “low-risk” trade candidate this offseason.How Treylon Burks Could Fit With the Steelers
The Steelers currently have only one receiver on their roster who had at least 210 receiving yards in 2023. Acquiring Burks would only slightly improve that situation, as he had
221 receiving yards in 2023. 66 catches, 1,104 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.. But During his college career at Arkansas, Burks averaged at least 16 yards per reception in all three seasons. In his final season, he had He started with 18.3 yards per catch in his NFL debut and then recorded 111 receiving yards in his sixth game.
However, injuries caused Burks to miss 12 games in his first two seasons. In 2023, he struggled to produce due to injuries and the performance of the Titans' quarterbacks. If the Steelers believe that Burks’ challenges were mainly due to his team and are confident in his ability to stay healthy, then he could be a great inexpensive option with potential. If he fulfills his potential in 2024, Burks could become Pittsburgh’s second outside receiver. The Steelers would then have a promising trio of young receivers with Burks,
George Pickens
Roman Wilson , and 2024 third-rounder .
What Will the Steelers Need to Trade to Acquire Burks?
If the Steelers are seeking an established WR2 option, then Burks is not the right choice. However, due to his decreased value over the last two years, he would be very affordable in a trade. he posted Payton suggested that Burks could be worth a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick, and if he catches more than 60 passes, the trade compensation would increase to a fifth-round pick.
The Steelers have already made a trade. They gave up their 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears
in a deal for a former first-round pick named
Justin Fields
the Steelers have other mid-Day 3 selections they could offer to the Titans for Burks.Giving the Titans any Day 3 pick for Burks should be attractive for the Steelers. This is because, in return, they will get a young, affordable receiver who could fix the team’s WR2 problems. There’s a risk in making this move, but it’s low considering the trade compensation for Burks, and the potential return is quite high.Dallas Robinson from Pro Football Network suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a good fit for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks.
What Will the Steelers Need to Trade to Acquire Burks?
If the Steelers desire a proven WR2 option, then Burks is not a fit. But because his stock has fallen over the past two years, he will be very affordable on the trade market.
Payton proposed Burks to be worth roughly a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Payton suggested that if Burks caught more than 60 passes, the trade compensation would increase to a fifth-rounder.
The Steelers already traded their 2025 sixth-round choice to the Chicago Bears in a conditional deal for a former first-round pick — Justin Fields. But the Steelers have other mid-Day 3 selections they could send to the Titans for Burks.
Shipping Tennessee any Day 3 pick for Burks should be appealing for the Steelers. That’s because, in return, they are landing a young, cheap receiver who could solve the team’s WR2 issues.
There’s risk in such a move, but it’s low given the trade compensation to acquire Burks, and the return is potentially rather high.
