Steelers' New Wide Receiver Trade Option Emerging From The Dallas Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move by trading away their star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, earlier this offseason. Following this decision, many anticipated that Omar Khan and the Steelers would either secure a trade, or acquire a reputable wide receiver. However, as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, and with no significant developments on the horizon, it appears that the Steelers may be inclined to seek out a plug-and-play wide receiver during the draft.

This approach carries substantial risk, as entering the season with only George Pickens as the established star is precarious. Opposing teams can easily devise strategies to contain and limit Pickens, particularly without a proficient route runner who can consistently create opportunities and move the chains like Johnson could. Consequently, there was widespread hope that a player like Tyler Boyd would be a suitable replacement for Johnson, given his similar skill set. However, it appears that such a prospect may no longer be feasible.

Mark Kaboly, a Steelers insider for The Athletic, recently joined The Fan Morning Show to discuss the upcoming draft and the Steelers' plans regarding the wide receiver position. When asked about the possibility of the Steelers pursuing a trade for a wide receiver, Kaboly left the door open, suggesting that such a move might still be in consideration.

“It’s possible. It’s very possible. It might not be the guys we’ve heard of. Denver doesn’t want to get rid of Courtland Sutton, right? Tee Higgins [is] just crazy amount of money, so I’m not even looking there.”

Kaboly eliminated options such as Courtland Sutton and even Tee Higgins, suggesting that their acquisition might not align with the team's economic strategy. Additionally, he indicated that pursuing a trade for Brandon Aiyuk also might not be financially prudent. 

However, Kaboly offered an intriguing alternative, proposing that the Steelers could target Brandin Cooks from the Dallas Cowboys, seeing potential value in such a move.

“I’m looking at a guy like, I mean I don’t even know if he’s on the blocks, but a guy like Brandin Cooks would fit in here nice. He’s in the final year of his contract in Dallas. They're trying to dump everybody for money. If you can somehow make a move, I would do that. I would imagine there’s a plan in place to add a receiver. I mean these are smart guys. They know they can’t go with Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins. They know it and they can’t rely on the draft right now.”

Steelers Could Seriously Fill Diontae Johnson's Void With Brandin Cooks

Cooks, now in his 30s and in the twilight of his career, has consistently demonstrated his productivity and remains a viable option for the Steelers. In 2023, despite his age, he recorded impressive stats with 54 receptions, 657 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns for the Cowboys. A comparison with Johnson's performance in the same year, where he had 51 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, underscores Cooks' potential value to the team.

While Kaboly acknowledged that Cooks' availability on the trade market is uncertain, he noted that the receiver is due for a new contract and the Cowboys are looking to trim expenses. In this context, acquiring Cooks could be a savvy move for Khan and the Steelers, aligning with their strategic goals.

Kaboly humorously dismissed the notion of relying solely on Watkins and Jefferson for receiving options, emphasizing the need for additional firepower. He emphasized the considerable risk associated with solely relying on draft picks to address the wide receiver position. Therefore, he strongly advocated for the Steelers to seriously consider pursuing a trade for Cooks, believing it to be a prudent and feasible option.