Pickens Tabbed As A Potential Trade Candidate Who Could Impact The Draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, the Pittsburgh Steelers face some difficult decisions—one of which may involve talented wide receiver George Pickens.

With only two picks in the top 50, speculation has grown that the team could make a move to recoup some draft capital by trading Pickens. According to CBS Sports analyst Jeff Kerr, such a move could significantly impact the first round of the upcoming draft.

In his latest piece, Kerr outlines his reasons why the Steelers may elect to move on from Pickens. At this point, it remains uncertain whether the team will offer him an extension once his rookie contract expires. Given this, Kerr believes the Steelers could have plenty of potential trade partners for a rising talent like Pickens.

"Teams would jump at the opportunity to hone Pickens' talent, especially since he's just 24 years old and has a looming contract extension on the way. The Steelers also trade receivers they don't want to pay, so that gives them even more incentive to trade Pickens."

Kerr also suggested that part of the reason for veteran Aaron Rodgers' delay in signing with the Steelers may stem from the team’s decision regarding Pickens. One major incentive for keeping him is the potential to form one of the league’s top receiving duos—an asset any quarterback would benefit from.

As it stands, there are still many question marks surrounding the overall direction of the team. Expect the unexpected when Draft Day arrives, as the Steelers continue working to upgrade their roster.