Steelers WR options: Amari Cooper, Allen Lazard highlight George Pickens replacements
George Pickens' time with the Pittsburgh Steelers has come to an end after three seasons.
The Steelers traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, the teams announced on Wednesday. The Steelers will receive a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 Day 3 pick swap in exchange for the 24-year-old receiver.
Pickens led the Steelers with 900 receiving yards during the 2024 NFL season but was the subject of trade rumors throughout the 2025 offseason. Now, he will get a chance to suit up for the Cowboys while Pittsburgh reassesses its wide receiver depth chart.
The Steelers have a proven No. 1 receiver in DK Metcalf, who they acquired in an offseason trade with the Seattle Seahawks. However, Pittsburgh no longer has a true No. 2 receiver to play across from him with Pickens gone, even after signing veteran Robert Woods to a one-year deal.
The Steelers could change that by signing one of the veterans still available in free agency or swinging a low-cost trade. Here's a look at a handful of players Pittsburgh could target.
Amari Cooper
Cooper is one of the biggest names still available on the free-agent market. The 10-year veteran is a five-time Pro Bowler, though he is coming off one of his worst-ever seasons in 2024. He posted 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns across 14 games with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.
That said, Cooper had a career-high 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, so he isn't far removed from being a productive starter. Perhaps coming to Pittsburgh and playing with Metcalf could revive the 30-year-old's career and give the Steelers a strong No. 2 receiver.
Allen Lazard
The Steelers have been tied extensively to Aaron Rodgers as the veteran quarterback mulls his NFL future. Perhaps adding one of the veteran quarterback's favorite weapons will help convince him that Pittsburgh is the right spot for him.
Lazard (6-5, 227 pounds) is a big-bodied receiver who has posted modest numbers as a downfield, contested catch receiver. He would be an ideal replacement for Pickens and provide the Steelers with great size and physicality in the slot.
The only hang-up with acquiring Lazard? Pittsburgh would have to trade for him, as Lazard remains under contract with the New York Jets after restructuring his deal during the offseason. That said, ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reports the Steelers trading for Lazard is "in play," so this looks like a potential fit.
Keenan Allen
Allen is another experienced receiver who remains available on the free agent market. He recorded 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in his lone season with the Chicago Bears but hasn't yet latched onto a new team for his age-33 season.
Allen would provide the Steelers with experience and inside/outside versatility, as he played 448 snaps in the slot last season compared to 398 out wide. He averaged a respectable 3 yards of separation per target last season and would complement Metcalf well as a high-quality route runner.
Gabe Davis
Davis was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday, just over a year after signing a three-year, $39 million contract. Davis totaled just 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games with the Jaguars but has the size (6-2, 225 pounds) and speed needed to be a strong downfield threat.
Having Davis and Metcalf working together wouldn't certainly stress opposing defenses vertically. The Steelers could add Davis, hoping he will regain the solid form he showcased with the Bills, where he averaged 43 catches, 725 yards and seven touchdowns per 17 games played across four seasons.