The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally gotten their big receiver splash. The team officially acquired DK Metcalf from a seemingly rebuilding Seattle Seahawks team. The compensation centered around a second-round pick, while both teams are also swapping late-round picks to sweeten the deal.
Let’s not overthink this deal: the Steelers got a home run here. Metcalf has proven to be a supreme talent so far in his career, he is still in the prime of his playing time, and he provides the team with a true top option in a room that struggled with dwindling options last year.
While the late-round pick swaps sweetened the deal for the Steelers, I look past them when considering the impact of this deal. In essence, to me, this deal was a second-round pick for Metcalf’s services.
Let it be known, the Steelers hit a homerun.
The receiver market isn’t nearly as robust as it was just a year ago. There, we saw numerous top veterans find new teams as well as a stacked rookie class join the league. Yes, there were options, but the true top names were dwindling quickly.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were wise to get DK Metcalf
The Steelers now have a healthy and talented receiver room to work with, and their job there might not be done. That being said, you now have a clear top dog no matter what else you do.
Can you add a veteran to a moderate deal? Sure thing. Can this team draft someone to join their ranks? Absolutely, although you won’t have to if the right player isn’t there. You suddenly have some flexibility with your room, a luxury not afforded last year.
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The most important fallout of this deal will be with George Pickens. Given Metcalf’s new deal, it seems unlikely that Pickens is here past his rookie contract. I also think trading him is now even more likely. He is no longer needed, although having two potent deep threats is never a bad problem to have.
I don’t think the Steelers got a great bargain for Metcalf, as compensation was fair for both sides, but given the other options they could have taken, it is still a good deal. I like this move far more than adding a decrepit Cooper Kupp or even Deebo for a 5th round pick.
As I said, the work in the receiver room isn’t done, but you are one step closer to a completed puzzle. This should help attack quarterbacks to this team and provide finality to Pickens this offseason. It took a lot longer than most hoped for, but the Steelers and Omar Khan finally brought in a great asset for this receiver room.