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Just under a month from the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s important to consider every trade scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers when completing mock drafts. Several draft analysts and fans of the Black and Gold have debated whether trading back is the right course of action—but another hypothetical may present itself: sending George Pickens and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
In 2024, Pickens displayed more red flags than qualities of a long-term staple at the WR position—most notably his immature on- and off-field antics. Steelers WR DK Metcalf broke the bank with a four-year, $132 million contract, and it's highly unlikely Pickens will receive an extension as a result. With that in mind, why not send their star receiver to a team in need, in exchange for a premier pick? Here's the updated 2025 mock draft featuring the blockbuster Pickens trade:
Kenneth Grant is the ideal selection at pick 21, but he was no longer available in this mock draft. Walter Nolen is arguably one of the most physically gifted DTs in the 2025 NFL Draft—the Steelers finally get their D-lineman of the future.
Replacing Pickens isn't easy—but Elic Ayomanor gives the Steelers the best shot at doing so. The 6'2" Stanford WR prospect combines speed and size with great route running—and he could contribute alongside WR DK Metcalf right away.
DJ Giddens in round three would give Pittsburgh its second starting-caliber contributor on offense from the draft class. His lateral agility and ability to read blocks, combined with his 4.43 40-yard dash and his 6'0", 212 lb size, will be a problem defenses struggle to stop in the Steelers' offense.
Cobee Bryant is a prospect falling on draft boards due to concerns surrounding his 180 lb frame—but he would be an incredible pick by the Steelers. He has great instincts, is athletic, gets by wide receivers with ease in run defense, and is a capable tackler.
With this year's quarterback class being considered one of the worst in recent memory, it makes zero sense for the Steelers to waste a premier pick on a QB between selections 1–64. Instead, the Steelers opt to take a chance on Texas Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers. The struggles Ewers will have at the next level—poor footwork and an inability to go through progressions quickly—can be fine-tuned while sitting behind either Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph for a season or two.
Goodbye Dan Moore Jr., hello Emery Jones Jr. Broderick Jones has yet to prove himself deserving of his first-round selection back in 2023, and the 2025 season could be his last shot at his natural LT position. Jones Jr. will give the Steelers an upgrade in pass protection if the team decides it’s time to part ways with Broderick after the 2025 season—flipping Emery over to RT and moving Fautanu to LT.
Son of former New York Jets CB Ray Mickens, R.J. could be exactly what the Steelers need heading into 2025 and beyond—a short-term backup DB and potentially a long-term replacement for either Minkah Fitzpatrick or DeShon Elliott depending on what the 2026 future has in store. Mickens played all over the CFB field in 2024—logging 41.5% of his snaps in the box, 45% deep, almost 12% at slot CB, 1% as a wide CB, and 0.5% on the D-line—a potential Swiss Army knife for Pittsburgh with little risk at the 229th pick.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Steelers trade George Pickens to Raiders in new mock
Continue reading...
In 2024, Pickens displayed more red flags than qualities of a long-term staple at the WR position—most notably his immature on- and off-field antics. Steelers WR DK Metcalf broke the bank with a four-year, $132 million contract, and it's highly unlikely Pickens will receive an extension as a result. With that in mind, why not send their star receiver to a team in need, in exchange for a premier pick? Here's the updated 2025 mock draft featuring the blockbuster Pickens trade:
Round 1, Pick 21: Walter Nolen, DT — Ole Miss
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Kenneth Grant is the ideal selection at pick 21, but he was no longer available in this mock draft. Walter Nolen is arguably one of the most physically gifted DTs in the 2025 NFL Draft—the Steelers finally get their D-lineman of the future.
Round 2, Pick 37: Elic Ayomanor, WR — Stanford (TRADE)
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Replacing Pickens isn't easy—but Elic Ayomanor gives the Steelers the best shot at doing so. The 6'2" Stanford WR prospect combines speed and size with great route running—and he could contribute alongside WR DK Metcalf right away.
Round 3, Pick 83: DJ Giddens, RB — Kansas State
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DJ Giddens in round three would give Pittsburgh its second starting-caliber contributor on offense from the draft class. His lateral agility and ability to read blocks, combined with his 4.43 40-yard dash and his 6'0", 212 lb size, will be a problem defenses struggle to stop in the Steelers' offense.
Round 4, Pick 123: Cobee Bryant, CB — Kansas
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Cobee Bryant is a prospect falling on draft boards due to concerns surrounding his 180 lb frame—but he would be an incredible pick by the Steelers. He has great instincts, is athletic, gets by wide receivers with ease in run defense, and is a capable tackler.
Round 5, Pick 156: Quinn Ewers, QB — Texas
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With this year's quarterback class being considered one of the worst in recent memory, it makes zero sense for the Steelers to waste a premier pick on a QB between selections 1–64. Instead, the Steelers opt to take a chance on Texas Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers. The struggles Ewers will have at the next level—poor footwork and an inability to go through progressions quickly—can be fine-tuned while sitting behind either Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph for a season or two.
Round 6, Pick 185: Emery Jones Jr., OT — LSU
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Goodbye Dan Moore Jr., hello Emery Jones Jr. Broderick Jones has yet to prove himself deserving of his first-round selection back in 2023, and the 2025 season could be his last shot at his natural LT position. Jones Jr. will give the Steelers an upgrade in pass protection if the team decides it’s time to part ways with Broderick after the 2025 season—flipping Emery over to RT and moving Fautanu to LT.
Round 7, Pick 229: R.J. Mickens, S — Clemson
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Son of former New York Jets CB Ray Mickens, R.J. could be exactly what the Steelers need heading into 2025 and beyond—a short-term backup DB and potentially a long-term replacement for either Minkah Fitzpatrick or DeShon Elliott depending on what the 2026 future has in store. Mickens played all over the CFB field in 2024—logging 41.5% of his snaps in the box, 45% deep, almost 12% at slot CB, 1% as a wide CB, and 0.5% on the D-line—a potential Swiss Army knife for Pittsburgh with little risk at the 229th pick.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Steelers trade George Pickens to Raiders in new mock
Continue reading...
