Ex-NFL GM Thinks Steelers ‘Are Open for Business’ to Trade George Pickens
With the Pittsburgh Steelers bringing in Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden in for a pre-draft visit on Thursday, an unnamed former NFL general manager believes George Pickens could be on the trade block.
“The Steelers are open for business on George Pickens,” the former GM said, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan. “That’s why they brought in [Matthew Golden] for a visit.”
Golden is a fast-rising prospect who tore it up during Texas’ run in the College Football Playoffs, greatly elevating his draft stock. He finished the 2024 season with 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns.
The 21-year-old also had an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he showed off his blazing-fast speed while running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash.
As a result, Golden now ranks as the No. 20 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, just ahead of the Steelers’ first-round pick. At Christmas, he was rated as the No. 209 player.
If the Steelers were to use their first-round pick on Golden, a Pickens trade would become even more likely, but that doesn’t seem to be at the top of their list with other more-pressing needs to fill like quarterback and defensive line.
Before transferring to Texas in 2024, Golden spent two years at Houston, where he had 76 catches for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns from 2022-23.
Pittsburgh already traded a second-round pick for wide receiver DK Metcalf to pair with Pickens, but the Steelers are clearly interested in Golden. The team sent its top brass to the Texas pro day to get a good look at Golden, among others.
There were rumblings at the Ohio State pro day that “the run on receivers” will start with the Seattle Seahawks at 18th overall, and run through the Los Angeles Rams (26th overall), according to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. Pauline also notes that the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Steelers are all believed to be targeting a first-round wide receiver.
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka met with the Steleers ahead of his pro day.
“The Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Chargers were two teams spoken about in Columbus who will look at receivers hard in the first round,” Pauline wrote. “And despite their moves this offseason, so too will the Steelers, as Egbuka had dinner with head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan on Tuesday night.”
Egbuka turned heads at his pro day, running a blazing-fast 40 time ranging from a best of 4.41 to 4.7. The Steelers had Ebuka timed with a 4.43, according to Pauline. He also posted a 38-inch vertical.
Egbuka was heavily linked to the Steelers prior to the blockbuster trade for Metcalf. And that appears to still be the case. If the Steelers land Egbuka, a Pickens trade could follow.
At the NFL owner’s meetings, general manager Omar Khan hinted the Steelers are interested in making a trade to get themselves back into the second round.
Moving Pickens seems to be the best case scenario for that to occur.
“I would say, I think you guys have gotten to know me over the last couple years. I think all options are table,” Khan said. “Staying put, moving up, moving back. I’m open to anything if it makes sense for us.”