The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move early in the 2025 NFL offseason by trading for DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. Following this trade, they have now decided to part ways with one of their top young receivers, George Pickens. The Steelers have traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a package centered around a 2026 third-round pick, as announced by the Cowboys on Wednesday.
Pickens, a 24-year-old receiver who was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, quickly established himself as a starter for the Steelers, leading the team in receiving yards in his final two seasons with them. Known for his average of 15.3 yards per reception last season, Pickens is expected to provide a downfield threat and complement CeeDee Lamb in Dallas.
The Cowboys are seen to benefit from the trade with a grade of ‘B’, as Pickens is likely to enhance their receiving corps with his size, physicality, and ability to win contested catches. While there are concerns about his separation from defenders, his average separation per target last season was actually slightly better than that of Brandin Cooks, who was Dallas’ No. 2 receiver.
On the other hand, the Steelers receive a grade of ‘C+’ for this trade. While it was not surprising given Pickens’ contract situation, the timing of the trade after the draft means the team missed the opportunity to acquire additional draft assets to fill the void left by Pickens. With Metcalf as their primary receiving threat, the Steelers now lack a clear No. 2 receiver, with several players expected to compete for the role.
Overall, the Cowboys benefit from adding Pickens to their roster, while the Steelers face challenges in replacing his production and depth at the receiver position.
The Steelers made a surprising move by trading Pickens, a top-two receiver on the team, contradicting their usual philosophy. Therefore, it is difficult to give the Steelers a high grade for this move, even though it could potentially benefit them in the long run. Check out the original article on USA TODAY for the George Pickens trade grades and how the Cowboys and Steelers performed in this wide receiver deal.
