Steelers wide receiver trade proposal adds $90 million replacement for George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a familiar position after the George Pickens trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Steelers spent all of last year looking for an upgrade opposite Pickens, and they finally landed one with the trade for DK Metcalf. However, subtracting Pickens has left Pittsburgh back in the same boat.

While it's clear the Steelers desperately need an upgrade at wide receiver once again, general manager Omar Khan seems intent on rolling with the guys they have, a lackluster list that includes Calvin Austin, who isn't a sufficient No. 2 option, an over-the-hill Robert Woods and an unproven Roman Wilson.

We're simply not buying the Steelers are going to settle with the slew of question marks they already have, which makes an addition more likely than not.

On the very high end of the Steelers' possible options is Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill, who Steelers Wire's Andrew Vasquez proposes as a trade target for Pittsburgh.

"Similar to George Pickens, whose trade value was heavily impacted by his on- and off-the-field antics, Hill's situation is no different. From walking away from his team mid-game to vocalizing his desire to leave the Dolphins to reporters — the Steelers could acquire the six-time All-Pro WR at a bargain. He and DK Metcalf would terrorize opposing secondaries in what would arguably become the fastest wide receiver room in the league," Vasquez wrote.

Since last season, Hill has sent mixed signals about his future in Miami, which has led many to speculate that he could be traded. However, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier suggesting it would take two first-round picks is a sign Miami doesn't have interest in dealing him.

But a lot can change between now and the start of the season, and if Hill does become available, Pittsburgh should inquire.

Hill is coming off a down season in 2024, but he was also playing injured and did not have Tua Tagovailoa for a handful of games, two factors that certainly had an impact on his production.

Adding Hill across from Metcalf would be a total game-changer for a Steelers offense that desperately needs to get more explosive.

Nobody in the NFL is better at taking the top off a defense, and Hill's ability to take even short passes for big gains makes him quarterback-friendly. If there's any wide receiver who can take pressure off Metcalf, it's the eight-time Pro Bowler.

A realistic trade package would likely include a Day 2 pick. Pittsburgh is flush with Day 2 draft capital in 2026, with one second-round pick and three third-round selections, one of which comes from the Pickens deal.

Hill's $90 million contract runs through 2026, so the Steelers would have him for multiple years.

There are off-the-field concerns with Hill, and that could lead to Pittsburgh balking at any trade for him, but he'd be well worth the risk with his ability to elevate an offense and put whoever is under center in Pittsburgh in a better position to succeed, whether that be Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph.

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