The Seahawks have traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers. It's a surprising outcome, given that Pittsburgh has long been successful at drafting rather than trading for top wideouts, and a disappointing one (I think) from a fantasy perspective.
For one thing, the Steelers don't currently have a quarterback under contract. Could be either Russell Wilson, who hasn't played great football for a few years now, or Justin Fields, who never has for more than a brief stretch of time. Or some veteran, either of the old man variety (Rodgers, Cousins) or younger (Darnold). But undetermined, that much is certain.
Unlike the Rams (who signed Davante Adams, discussed elsewhere) the Steelers have not tended to produce multiple good wideouts, and neither have Arthur Smith offenses. Since the Steelers now have two elite-level wide receivers, at least one of those guys looks pretty certain to disappoint, no matter who the quarterback is.
Table shows the No. 1 and 2 wideouts in Pittsburgh the last three years (since Ben Roethlisberger retired, which seems fair if we make the reasonable assumption the Steelers won't have that level of quarterback this season), and also the five offenses overseen by Metcalf's new offensive coordinator (three in Atlanta, two in Tennessee). No. 2 wideouts who finished in the top 40 at the position in PPR leagues -- there are two of them -- are in bold. There's also just one top-20 No. 1 wideout in the bunch; A.J. Brown back in 2020.
| PITTSBURGH AND ARTHUR SMITH WRS, 2019-PRESENT | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | G | Tgt | No | Rec | TD | Rk |
| 2024 | George Pickens, Pitt. | 14 | 103 | 59 | 900 | 3 | 42 |
| 2024 | Calvin Austin, Pitt. | 17 | 58 | 36 | 548 | 5 | 68 |
| 2023 | George Pickens, Pitt. | 17 | 106 | 63 | 1140 | 5 | 30 |
| 2023 | Diontae Johnson, Pitt. | 13 | 87 | 51 | 717 | 5 | 46 |
| 2022 | Diontae Johnson, Pitt. | 17 | 147 | 86 | 882 | 0 | 30 |
| 2022 | George Pickens, Pitt. | 17 | 84 | 52 | 801 | 5 | 40 |
| 2023 | Drake London, Atl. | 16 | 110 | 69 | 905 | 2 | 36 |
| 2023 | Mack Hollins, Atl. | 13 | 30 | 18 | 251 | 0 | 119 |
| 2022 | Drake London, Atl. | 17 | 117 | 72 | 866 | 4 | 28 |
| 2022 | Olamide Zaccheaus, Atl. | 17 | 61 | 40 | 533 | 3 | 65 |
| 2021 | Russell Gage, Atl. | 14 | 94 | 66 | 770 | 4 | 37 |
| 2021 | Olamide Zaccheaus, Atl. | 17 | 53 | 31 | 406 | 3 | 78 |
| 2020 | A.J. Brown, Ten. | 14 | 106 | 70 | 1075 | 12 | 11 |
| 2020 | Corey Davis, Ten. | 14 | 92 | 65 | 984 | 5 | 29 |
| 2019 | A.J. Brown, Ten. | 16 | 84 | 52 | 1051 | 9 | 22 |
| 2019 | Corey Davis, Ten. | 15 | 69 | 43 | 601 | 2 | 64 |
Those familiar with Smith's oeuvre will be unsurprised to see that only 2 of the 16 players included in the table caught more than 5 touchdowns. His fondness for involving multiple tight ends, particularly around the goal line, is a big factor in otherwise productive wide receivers finishing with modest fantasy totals. That isn't likely to change in 2025, with Pittsburgh having already added another tight end to the mix in Donald Parham.
Something has to give. Pickens has finished 30th-42nd in PPR all three of his seasons, despite lesser quarterbacking in each. Metcalf has been in the league six years and his worst finish (last year) was 31st.
But both guys finishing as quality starters in fantasy leagues would be defying the history. We'll see who they have at quarterback, but it seems pretty likely that at least one of the two will disappoint. And even this is assuming they don't run into some drama with Pickens, who also needs a new contract (and will presumably be looking for one similar or better to what the team just gave Metcalf). Seems like a recipe for problems.
--Andy Richardson