The wide receiver spot that the Pittsburgh Steelers lost when they traded Diontae Johnson for Donte Jackson has not yet been filled. However, Pittsburgh was listed as one of six teams by Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report that ought to make the San Francisco 49ers an alluring trade offer in exchange for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Davenport suggested that in exchange for the 2023 second-team All-Pro wideout, the 49ers receive the Steelers’ first and third round picks in 2024.
When selection No. 20 comes around, Davenport stated, “Aiyuk is a better and more proven option than anyone else.” He and George Pickens together would be a very strong team in that role.
Offering that 20th overall pick would be the 49ers’ finest offer to date, at least in this hypothetical exercise. If you include a late third (in exchange for a Day 3 pick), this is an offer Niners general manager John Lynch would need to seriously consider.
The Steelers do not have a wide receiver signed to their 2024 roster who had more than 209 receiving yards in the previous season, aside from George Pickens. But Aiyuk would solve that issue and then some.
Aiyuk achieved career-highs of 1,342 receiving yards and 17.9 yards per reception in 2023. In addition, he has 7 touchdowns and 75 catches.
But, acquiring Aiyuk would be expensive in terms of draft capital as well. Spotrac estimated Aiyuk’s value at $96.1 million for a four-year deal. The 26-year-old receiver would make an average yearly salary of more than $24 million under such a contract.
Reasons to Consider WR Brandon Aiyuk for the Steelers
The Steelers ought to be interested in Aiyuk for quite obvious reasons.
After dealing for Johnson, the Steelers acquired Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins; but, in 2023, the two wide receivers combined for just 351 receiving yards.
On April 2, Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus stated that the Steelers lack a No. 3 wideout in addition to not having a starting receiver to complement Pickens despite having Jefferson and Watkins.
But the Steelers would have one of the best wide receivers available this offseason in Aiyuk. Davenport pointed out that Pickens and Aiyuk would be a formidable team.
Pickens led the NFL in 2023 with 18.1 yards per grab, while Aiyuk averaged 17.9 yards per reception.
Cons of Trading for Aiyuk: Aiyuk would make the Steelers’ receiver room, which was among the worst in the NFL, maybe among the best. But the price would be high.
The Steelers not only lack a center on the roster but also need a starting receiver. The team could also benefit from improvements at cornerback and offensive tackle.
The Steelers will find it much more difficult to select impact players at their other needs if they trade Aiyuk for their first and third-round picks. Additionally, general manager Omar Khan would probably give up on choosing either Graham Barton from Duke or Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon. Those two prospects are regarded by many analysts as the finest centers available in the 2024 class.
Khan might focus on Zach Frazier, the center for West Virginia. However, Frazier could not be available when the Steelers make their second-round selection at No. 51 overall.
It’s a little difficult to imagine the Steelers dealing for a center given the dearth of viable alternatives for starting centers in the draft and the limited availability of centers in free agency.
