6 WRs Who Could be on Trade Block After 2025 NFL Draft, Pickens Deal
While several factors led the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys last week, his contract situation was a significant one. Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie deal and likely wasn’t going to be retained after the Steelers brought in and made DK Metcalf the fourth-highest paid wideout in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Metcalf’s addition to the roster highlights another justification for Pittsburgh’s willingness to part with its leading receiver in 2024. The league’s offseason is nearly over as most noteworthy free agents have signed contracts and the draft wrapped up a few weekends ago.
So, now that Pickens has a new home and the entire league has undergone some roster-reshuffling, what other wide receivers could be on the trade block heading into training camp?
Here, we’ll dive into wideouts who are on expiring deals and/or their respective teams have made at least one significant addition to the receiving corps this spring.
Christian Watson
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The Green Bay Packers made franchise history with the 23rd selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, using a first-round pick on a wide receiver for the first time in over 20 years. Former Texas wideout Matthew Golden turned heads at the NFL Combine with a 4.29-second 40-yard dash time, adding some speed to the Packers’ receiving corps.
Watson has been a vertical threat in Green Bay over the last three seasons, totaling over 1,600 yards and nearly 17 yards per catch, including 620 yards and 21.4 ypc in 2024.
However, the North Dakota State product has battled several injuries, missing 13 regular-season games as a pro. That likely played a factor in general manager Brian Gutekunst’s decision to use a first-round pick on Golden.
Additionally, the Packers’ receiving room is getting crowded as Gutekunst double-dipped at the position in the draft, taking Savion Williams from TCU in the third round. That’s on top of already having Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontavion Wicks on the roster.
Considering Watson is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get traded out of Green Bay. Granted, the three-year veteran is recovering from a torn ACL, which could complicate matters.
John Metchie III
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The fact Metchie has returned to the field after getting diagnosed with leukemia is an impressive accomplishment and an inspirational story. However, he hasn’t been very productive for the Houston Texans with just 40 catches for 412 yards and one touchdown over the last two seasons.
Part of that is because the 2022 second-round pick has only taken 29 and 45 percent of the Texans’ offensive snaps during those respective campaigns, per Pro Football Reference.
The organization has invested heavily in its wide receiving corps over the last several years, forcing Metchie to play behind wideouts like Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs.
While Dell may not play this fall, Houston has continued to add receivers this offseason. The club traded for Christian Kirk, and spent second- and third-round picks on former Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
That’s a lot of mouths to feed and could make the Alabama product expendable over the coming months.
Metchie is entering a contract year and likely won’t be brought back with the organization’s investments in the former Cyclones.
But he was a top 50 draft pick who has plenty of talent to be more production with a bigger opportunity elsewhere. Also, the 24-year-old was reportedly receiving trade interest heading into last season.
Treylon Burks
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One way or another, it feels like Burks’ days with the Tennessee Titans are going to come to an end soon. His tenure with the club has been marred by injuries and a lack of production, missing 24 games and recording just 53 catches for 699 yars and one touchdown in three seasons.
The wideout also recorded career-lows during Brian Callahan’s first year as head coach, playing in five contests and logging four grabs, 34 yards and no scores. So, it wasn’t surprising that the Titans didn’t pick up the 2022 first-round pick’s fifth-year option at the beginning of the month.
On top of that, Tennessee has made a handful of additions at receiver this offseason. It signed Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson in free agency, and used fourth-round picks on Elic Ayomanor from Stanford and Chimere Dike from Florida. That’s in addition to picking up Calvin Ridely a year ago.
Also, while most undrafted free agent signings don’t move the needle too much at this stage, it can’t be ignored that rookie quarterback Cam Ward and UDFA wide receiver Xavier Restrepo already have a strong connecting after playing together at Miami last season.
So, there are a lot of signs pointing toward Burks finishing out his rookie contract with another team. Granted, minimal production combined with coming off a torn ACL will limit the number of trade partners for the Titans.
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Quentin Johnston
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While Johnston still has two years left on his rookie contract, the Los Angeles Chargers have sent a couple of signals that he might be available for trade this offseason.
The first was bringing back Mike Williams, who the TCU product was supposed to replace. Then the front office used a second-round pick on former Ole Miss wideout Tre Harris, and Harris has a similar skillset as Johnston.
“Overall, Tre Harris profiles as a strong possession receiver with good run-after-catch ability,” B/R’s offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote in the former Rebel’s scouting report.
“He is alignment versatile and can play all three wide receiver positions effectively. With his route running, strength, and football IQ, Harris projects as a productive starting receiver at the next level.”
Especially with Ladd McConkey establishing himself as the Chargers’ lead pass-catcher last year, that pushes the 2023 first-round pick down the depth chart and will make it difficult of him to be productive this season.
So, if Los Angeles wants to maximize its return for Johnston, trading him now instead of waiting a year would be best.
He’s coming off an improved campaign with 55 grabs for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. Plus, the acquiring club would get so see him play in its system for a season before having to make a decision about picking up his fifth-year option.
Allen Lazard
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Truth be told, there’s probably only one destination for Lazard and it’s partially the result of the Pickens trade.
The Steelers could use some help at wide receiver after making the deal with Dallas, and, while Aaron Rodgers hasn’t signed with the club yet, Pittsburgh is the most likely destination for Rodgers given its current quarterback situation and ongoing talks with him.
All of that has led to reports linking the former Packers and Jets will reunite in the Steel City.
It was widely assumed that the primary reason the New York Jets signed Lazard two years ago is because of his relationship with the four-time MVP. Now that the latter is no longer with the club, it would make sense for them to move on from the wideout, too.
According to Over The Cap, the Jets would only eat about $2 million of additional cap space by trading the wideout before June 1 and could get $2.5 million of cap relief with a post-June 1 transaction.
Considerding they’d get a draft pick in return, either option isn’t bad for a player who likely won’t contribute much this season anyway and will be a free agent in the offseason.
New York signed Josh Reynolds in free agency to serve as its No. 2 receiver next to Garrett Wilson. Also, it spent a third-round pick on Malachi Corley a year ago and a fourth-rounder on Arian Smith last month, both of whom would benefit from extra reps with a less crowded position group.
Meanwhile, the Steelers would be making a move to encourage Rodgers to sign, and Lazard could become the offense’s No. 2 receiver behind DK Metcalf.
Rashid Shaheed
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Shaheed has become an explosive weapon for the New Orleans Saints over the last three seasons.
While only making 19 starts in 33 games, he’s racked up 94 catches for 1,556 yards and 10 touchdowns for averages of 16.6 yards per catch and a score once every 9.4 receptions.
Additionally, he’s found paydirt as a punt returner in each of the last two campaigns, earning First-Team All-Pro honors with 339 punt return yards and 13.6 yards per return in 2023.
However, the 26-year-old who turns 27 in August is scheduled to hit the open market next spring and will likely be looking for a big payday after being an exclusive rights free agent the last time his contract was up.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints are projected to begin next year’s offseason in a salary cap hole (again) by about $43 million, according to Over The Cap, and should prioritize getting a long-term deal done with Chris Olave.
The fourth-year pro is under contract for the next two seasons but is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option in 2026.
The Saints also signed Brandin Cooks to a two-year, $13 million deal this spring to serve as the No. 2 receiver behind Olave. So, if the club can get something for Shaheed, it might be worth trading him to add assets for the future.
Granted, the return could be dependent on how far along he is in his recovery from meniscus surgery.
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