a plausible but unlikely name.<\/a> Here are two more who haven\u2019t been discussed this cycle but could also fit later this summer if Pittsburgh is feeling the need.<\/p>\nParker Washington \u2013 Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n
Trades need dance partners. A team to buy and a team to sell. Jacksonville has reason to move a guy like Washington. It\u2019s a new regime which always brings change to the previous roster constructed by the previous decision-makers. Under head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone, the Jaguars wasted no time adding to their wide receiver room.<\/p>\n
The team signed veteran Dyami Brown to a $10 million deal in free agency before aggressively trading up for Travis Hunter in the first round. With last year\u2019s stud first-rounder Brian Thomas looking to build on his successful rookie campaign, Washington is at best a No. 4 option in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Penn State, Washington put up solid though far from spectacular numbers last year. He caught 32 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns. He also sprinkled in return work, running back five kickoffs and registered a 96-yard punt return touchdown in a London win over the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n
Washington isn\u2019t the biggest (5094, 204 pounds) or fastest but is a plus route runner with good body control. He\u2019s on a cheap rookie deal through the 2026 season and will cost only the Steelers a Day 3 pick in a hypothetical trade.<\/p>\n
Alec Pierce \u2013 Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n
Pierce was a name I mentioned throughout the 2024 offseason. Then, Josh Downs got hurt and rookie AD Mitchell took his lumps. It made Pierce an asset the Colts wanted to keep and for good reason. A big body (6031, 211), Pierce isn\u2019t a blazer but has been an effective downfield threat throughout his career.<\/p>\n
In three NFL seasons, he\u2019s averaged 17.6 yards per reception and last year, he led the league at over 22 yards per grab. Plays like this 60-yard touchdown<\/a> (off a bonkers throw from QB Anthony Richardson) helped boost those numbers.<\/p>\nHis 37 receptions went for 824 yards and seven touchdowns, proving he\u2019s a receiver who can make plays without high degrees of volume. That\u2019s valuable in an Arthur Smith offense that figures to not feature him heavily as WR DK Metcalf and TE Pat Freiermuth soak up targets.<\/p>\n
Pierce has size and playmaking ability as an outside threat the Steelers are searching for to replace Pickens. Pierce certainly doesn\u2019t win in the same way but he has a similar impact. If the Colts like the other young receivers they have, if guys like Downs and especially Mitchell develop, Pierce could become expendable. On the last year of his rookie deal, his price tag shouldn\u2019t be costly and Pittsburgh could get back a 2027 comp pick even if Pierce leaves in free agency after the season.<\/p>\n
The Steelers making a trade for Pierce feels a little less likely than Washington but Pierce is the better player. Neither name is a massive \u201csplash\u201d addition but the reality is that this late into the offseason, it\u2019s hard to find players who sensibly fit the bill. Pittsburgh already made its big move with the Metcalf deal and isn\u2019t likely to do that twice in one offseason.<\/p>\n