How ESPN Graded Steelers-Cowboys Trade For George Pickens

Despite the talent George Pickens possesses, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided he wasn’t worth the headache anymore.

The Steelers on Wednesday said goodbye to Pickens by trading the wide receiver alongside a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Rumors have swirled for some time about the Steelers moving on from Pickens, who Pittsburgh selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That probably hurt their leverage in a trade, but ESPN still gave the Steelers a very solid “B+” for their return on this deal.

“For the Steelers, this is good compensation,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote. “The league widely knew they wanted to move on from Pickens, and they still got a Day 2 pick back.

“Pittsburgh already acquired Pickens’ replacement in DK Metcalf earlier this offseason. While the two wideouts could have played together, there’s an obvious overlap in their styles, and it certainly appears that the Metcalf acquisition was in anticipation of losing Pickens. However, the Steelers once again have a receiver problem. Behind Metcalf on the depth chart are Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods and Roman Wilson.”

Walder gave the Cowboys a “B-” grade for their part in the trade, liking how they got a wideout to pair with No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb. But Pickens could prove to be just a one-year rental for the Cowboys with the 24-year-old’s deal expiring following this season.

The Steelers have to feel good about winning the trade on paper, but they have to find a way to replace Pickens’ production. He led Pittsburgh receivers in receptions (59) and yards (900) while also recording three touchdown catches.

Metcalf will fill a big part of that void, but it feels like the Steelers are in a similar position to last year, looking for a second wideout to emerge in their lackluster offense.

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