The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the only team around the league that needs help at wide receiver. But some teams have a surplus of talent at the position and would reasonably make for an obvious trade partner.
At the top of the list is the Green Bay Packers, who have six viable options at the position. With the Steelers having just one proven option, two young unproven pieces, and a veteran on his last legs, Omar Khan has to make the call to land any one of the wideouts in Green Bay that they’d be willing to part with.
Green Bay’s Surplus at Wide Receiver Creates a Trade Opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Those six receivers in Green Bay are:
- Jayden Reed
- Romeo Doubs
- Christian Watson
- Matthew Golden
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Savion Williams
Getting the untouchables out of the way, the Packers won’t trade Reed, Golden, or Williams. Reed is the No. 1 receiver in the offense, if for no other reason than his reliability. Golden was the first first-round pick by the franchise this side of the millennium, and Williams is also a rookie.
That leaves Doubs, Watson, and Wicks as potential targets for Pittsburgh. Wicks seems the least likely of that trio to be moved - and possibly the least desirable option as well. A 2023 fifth-round pick, his two seasons have seen some respectable production filling in for the other two players in this trio. If the Packers did move on from someone in their receiving room, Wicks would settle in comfortably as the No. 4 option and be able to take advantage of similar reps. Further, he’s not a proven No. 2 receiver, nor does he carry any experience playing with Aaron Rodgers like the other two.
That leaves Doubs and Watson, both of whom Steelers fans would be excited to see join the roster. Still, between Watson’s injury history and Doubs' off-the-field antics last season, there is some trepidation in bringing either player to Pittsburgh.
However, both players have experience playing with Rodgers during their rookie seasons in 2022. Doubs started stronger than Watson that year, but while the duo finished with similar targets and receptions, Watson had nearly 200 more yards and scored seven touchdowns to Doubs’ two. Since then, Doubs has one more touchdown reception, 47 more yards, and 49 more receptions than Watson.
Doubs Brings Production, Chemistry with Rodgers—and Trade Baggage
Even with more production and reliability in health, the writing appears to be on the wall in a bolder font for Doubs, who has been linked as a potential trade target for Pittsburgh before this offseason. His dissatisfaction with his target share last year, which led to a short suspension, is bound to be repeated after the team invested in the position early in the draft with Golden and Williams. That whole situation could reasonably lower his price tag on the trading block, too.
Of course, the recent addition of Jonnu Smith in Pittsburgh could cloud Doubs' projected target share with the Steelers. While he'd easily be the No. 2 wideout, Smith appears destined for a slot tight end role with the Steelers. If Metcalf is getting 100+ targets, and Smith and Pat Freiermuth are seeing around 70 each, that doesn't leave a ton of targets for Doubs. Still, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith suggested the offense is going to feature Rodgers in the passing game, so maybe there are enough targets there for Doubs to feel satisfied.
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Doubs is a downfield threat, though not necessarily a burner. He’s lauded for his contested catch abilities and sharp route-running skills, traits that led to him being an early favorite of Rodgers. He’s grown a lot as a player since Rodgers last played with him, so the connection would no doubt be even more impressive this time around.
Plus, Doubs is only 25. Unlike many receivers on the trade block and in free agency, Doubs could be a long-term option for the team at wide receiver, easing the worries about this offense post-Rodgers in 2026 and beyond.