Following last week’s trade of Diontae Johnson, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the market for a top-tier receiver.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac claims the Steelers are working on it, and a name that’s surfaced is San Fransisco 49ers Brandon Aiyuk. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that he’ll have trade potential if his team can’t work out a long-term deal.
As acrobatic and productive as George Pickens is, it’s hard to label him a WR1 right now. He still needs to develop, including as a route runner. He needs a weapon in front of him to take some pressure off, as well as an attitude adjustment.
Aiyuk, 26, represents everything the Steelers want in a receiver: He’s a vertical and goal line-to-goal line threat, one of the game’s best route-runners and a willing and prolific blocker.
As a top receiver in 2023, Aiyuk logged a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games and only had two drops on 86 catchable targets.
Aiyuk could be that guy the Steelers are targeting, but at what cost?
A report surfaced on Monday that the Jacksonville Jaguars were interested in Aiyuk but turned down a potential trade after the 49ers sought their first-round pick (No. 17) and receiver Zay Jones in return. Jones is approaching 29 and only put up 321 yards and two scores in 2023. I would’ve done that in a heartbeat if I were Jacksonville, a team looking for a top guy after losing Calvin Ridley in free agency.
From the sound of it, Pittsburgh would have to surrender multiple picks, including their first-rounder for Aiyuk. The Steelers would take on his $14 million salary (fifth-year option) this season but would also be expected to sign him to a long-term deal. According to Spotrac, his projected market value is $24 million annually.
As a run-heavy team with glaring needs along the offensive line, the cost is more than the Steelers should be willing to give up.
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