This is a PREDICTION, not a REPORT.
The Las Vegas Raiders need wide receiver help for the 2025 NFL season still. With a free agency class that lacked talent, and a 2025 NFL Draft class that is a mixed bag, the Raiders need to look elsewhere to improve the room.
They can do so by trading for a wide receiver before the season starts.
Las Vegas Raiders Trade For George Pickens
With the type of receiver George Pickens is and has the potential to become, he makes the ideal trade candidate for the Raiders to go after as their future WR1.
Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Trade George Pickens
The Steelers made a blockbuster trade earlier this offseason by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. Immediately following the trade, they extended him with a four-year, $132 million deal.
With the recent contract extensions of both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on the Cincinnati Bengals as well, it is Higgins’ contract with an AAV of roughly $28 million that Pickens will be looking for. Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and for a retooling Steelers team, paying both Pickens and Metcalf wouldn’t be feasible.
The Steelers won’t be able to keep Pickens past this season, so instead it would be wise for them to trade him while they have the chance to get value in return.
Las Vegas Raiders Interest in Trading For George Pickens
The sideline and post-play behavior leading to tantrums degrades Pickens’ value a bit, but with the right offense and coaching staff around him, he could truly flourish.
Pickens is just 23 years old and has accumulated 2,978 yards and 13 touchdowns across his three seasons in the NFL so far. Pickens has the talent, but with how the Steelers’ offense is run it isn’t suitable for Pickens to thrive.
In Las Vegas, a coach like Pete Carroll would ensure the after-the-play antics don’t continue, and instead help Pickens mature as a player.
With Geno Smith as the quarterback as well, he would be able to get the ball to Pickens and help turn those into explosive plays to keep him satisfied. The Raiders are also in a spot where they can get a rookie quarterback as well within the next two drafts to pair him and Pickens up for the future.
