The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for a replacement for the gap left by the departure of Diontae Johnson in the exchange with Donte Jackson. Gary Davenport from Bleacher Report suggests that Pittsburgh should be one of the six teams to present a compelling trade offer to the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Davenport’s proposal involves the Steelers offering their 2024 first and third-round picks to the 49ers in exchange for Aiyuk, who was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023.

According to Davenport, Aiyuk presents a superior and more established option compared to any potential candidates available with the 20th pick in the draft. He envisions Aiyuk pairing up with George Pickens to create a formidable duo at the wide receiver position for the Steelers.

In this hypothetical scenario, offering the 20th overall pick would likely be the most attractive offer the 49ers have received. Adding a late third-round pick could sweeten the deal even further, potentially compelling Niners general manager John Lynch to seriously consider it.

Aside from George Pickens, the Steelers lack wide receivers on their 2024 roster who accumulated more than 209 receiving yards last season. Brandon Aiyuk would not only address this deficiency but also provide significant additional firepower.

Aiyuk had a standout season in 2023, setting career highs with 1,342 receiving yards, averaging 17.9 yards per reception, making 75 catches, and scoring 7 touchdowns.

However, acquiring Aiyuk wouldn’t just be costly in terms of draft capital. According to Spotrac, Aiyuk’s projected value on a 4-year contract is approximately $96.1 million, translating to an average annual salary exceeding $24 million for the 26-year-old receiver.

Why the Steelers Could Use WR Brandon Aiyuk

It’s evident why the Steelers should pursue Aiyuk. Despite signing Van Jefferson and adding Quez Watkins after trading Johnson, their combined receiving yards in 2023 amounted to just 351 yards.

Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus highlighted on April 2 that despite having Jefferson and Watkins, the Steelers lack both a starting receiver opposite Pickens and a viable No. 3 wideout.

Acquiring Aiyuk would instantly elevate the Steelers’ receiving corps, as he’s considered one of the top receivers available this offseason. Davenport pointed out that pairing Aiyuk with Pickens would create a dynamic and potent duo.

Aiyuk’s impressive average of 17.9 yards per reception would complement Pickens’ league-leading 18.1 yards per catch in 2023, further enhancing the Steelers’ aerial threat.

The Drawbacks to Trading for Aiyuk

Acquiring Aiyuk could indeed revolutionize the Steelers’ receiving corps, potentially elevating it from one of the NFL’s weakest to one of the strongest. However, this transformation would come at a considerable cost.

Beyond the pressing need for a starting receiver, the Steelers currently lack a center on their roster, and there are also areas for improvement at offensive tackle and cornerback.

Trading away their first and third-round picks for Aiyuk would significantly limit their ability to address these other needs through the draft. General manager Omar Khan would likely forfeit the opportunity to select top center prospects like Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson or Duke’s Graham Barton, both widely regarded as the best in the 2024 class.

While Khan could pivot to consider options like West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, there’s uncertainty about his availability by the time the Steelers pick in the second round at No. 51 overall.

Given the limited alternatives for immediate starting center options in the draft and the thin market at the position in free agency, it’s challenging to envision the Steelers sacrificing two top picks for Aiyuk without a viable plan to address their other pressing needs.