Receiver Trade Rumors: Could Steelers Swap Adams, Pickens?

The beauty of Sundays is that they are unpredictable, giving fans upsets and chaos on the gridiron. But between games, the NFL can be rather predictable.

Like clockwork, a big-name receiver has grown frustrated, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in their services.

Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams wants a new home outside of Sin City, and he wants to play with one of his former battery mates. Pittsburgh, with quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson , can only offer a massive target share and a chance to join a competent organization.

Will that be enough to sway the three-time All-Pro?

The Steelers cannot offer Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr – and that may be enough to turn Adams away – but their summer-long pursuit of a star receiver makes them a viable contender in these sweepstakes.

“I'm still watching the Steelers as a potential landing spot,” ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote . “ They were very active in the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes when that was going on this summer, and my understanding is they plan to continue to be aggressive in pursuing wide receiver help.

“Their top receiver is George Pickens, whose reduced snap count in Sunday night's loss is an indication he doesn't have the full trust of the coaching staff, and they're ultra-thin behind him. Adams would immediately slot in as their No. 1 wide receiver, and they'll do what they can to find out if they can get him.”

While Adams’ leverage is the biggest deciding factor in any potential deal, the Steelers’ turbulence with Pickens gives them a trade chip New York and New Orleans wouldn’t dare trade – a young, talented receiver. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are foundational building blocks that aren’t being moved any time soon.

But Pickens , whose antics have cost him playing time and whose disinterested routes and blocking have hurt the offense, is far more movable.

That, of course, would leave Pittsburgh with only one legitimate starter on the boundary – the whole reason for trading for Adams. But if they are confident in Adams’ skills as a separator compared to Pickens’ catch-point prowess, a change in scenery may be in store.

At the very least, Pickens will likely have some more time to redeem himself.

“Another point to make here is the Steelers don't currently have the cap space to acquire Adams, though they would if this drags on a couple of more weeks or if they could get the Raiders to pay some of the salary,” Graziano continued.

Related: Tomlin Denies Putting Pickens in Doghouse

Trading for Adams still may not be in the Steelers’ best interest. They’d presumably be giving up Day 2 capital (or, perhaps, Pickens and a Day 3 pick), for a receiver who doesn’t turn them into a true contender, nor is he a long-term building block like Aiyuk was this offseason.

Adams makes Pittsburgh better. But he doesn’t fix the run game, nor the injured offensive line, and the quarterback play is still limited, despite the hot start. As tempting as it is, the Steelers would be in a familiar spot post-trade – hoping the defense can carry them past their recent stretch of mediocrity.