Steelers Have A New Trade Option At The Wide Receiver Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of numerous rumors and reports throughout the offseason, particularly regarding the wide receiver position. Speculation intensified following the Steelers' decision to trade Diontae Johnson, leaving a noticeable gap to fill in their receiving corps. Despite their efforts, the Steelers have faced challenges in finding a suitable complement to George Pickens.

In their quest to bolster their wide receiver group, the Steelers have made several moves, including acquiring Quez Watkins, Van Jefferson, and the speedy Scotty Miller. While these additions bring potential, they also come with uncertainties regarding reliability, particularly when tasked with assuming the role of wide receiver two—a prospect that fails to excite Steelers fans.

In addition to their acquisitions, the Steelers also invested in the draft, selecting wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round. Wilson is anticipated to play a significant role as a rookie, adding another dimension to the Steelers' receiving options.

However, amidst the uncertainty, there is a glimmer of hope. Bill Barnwell recently suggested that the Steelers could potentially address their wide receiver needs by exploring a trade with the Tennessee Titans for Treylon Burks, the Titans' 2022 first-round pick. This potential move offers an intriguing solution to the Steelers' search for a reliable wide receiver option and has sparked further speculation among fans and analysts alike.

“One team that has been comfortable taking shots on talented receivers in the past? The Steelers, who usually mitigate that risk by drafting those wideouts in the middle rounds while trusting they can get the most out of them on the field. Pittsburgh didn't seem to pursue Burks in 2022, when it was focused on Kenny Pickett in the draft, but had Burks been available in the second or third round, that might have been a different story.”

Barnwell elaborated that during the 2022 NFL Draft, the Steelers opted not to prioritize selecting a wide receiver in the first round, as their focus was on securing Kenny Pickett. However, the current scenario presents an opportunity for the Steelers to negotiate a deal for a player who, despite being relegated to the depths of the Titans' roster, still possesses untapped potential.

“After trading away Diontae Johnson this offseason, the Steelers have an opening on the outside. They used a third-round pick on Roman Wilson, who might profile best as a slot receiver earlier in his career, while former Rams wideout Van Jefferson hasn't been productive in much better offenses as a pro. If the Titans are willing to eat $6 million of what's left on Burks' deal, I could see the logic in Pittsburgh sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to Tennessee to give him a fresh start.”

The Steelers wouldn't need to gamble much to orchestrate a trade for Burks if the Titans are open to parting ways with him. While teams typically hesitate to give up on former first-round picks so quickly, the fact that the personnel group responsible for selecting Burks is no longer with the organization could signal a shift in the Titans' stance. 

Moreover, the Titans' offseason flurry of moves at the wide receiver position suggests that Burks may find himself on the fringes of the team's plans for the 2024 season. In his two seasons in the NFL, Burks has only caught 49 receptions for 665 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Steelers Could Make A Small Investment In Treylon Burks

Despite failing to live up to the expectations associated with his first-round status, Burks remains in his prime. Given the Steelers' reputation for developing wide receiver talent, they may view acquiring Burks as a calculated risk worth taking in the hopes of unlocking his untapped potential.

While the Steelers already boast a roster teeming with average wide receivers vying for offensive roles, adding Burks to the mix may further deepen the competition without significantly altering the team's dynamic. The option remains available to the Steelers should they choose to bolster their wide receiver room with a low-risk investment.

Although acquiring Burks may not be a transformative move for the Steelers, it presents an opportunity to invest in a former first-round talent who has yet to fully showcase his abilities due to injuries and unfavorable circumstances.