Would you rather have had DK?

[Adreme]

for the same compensation we gave for Pickens?

I mean yes and how I know that is Metcalf got a 2nd whereas Pickens was only worth a 3rd.

 

[Adreme]

Pickens… for a few reasons,
1, he’s younger and hopefully hungry to prove the Steelers wrong.
2, the contract for DK would have been way too much to pay.
3, and finally, if Pickens wants a ridiculous amount before signing a contract extension, we can let him hit free agency and probably have our 3rd rounder back, albeit a year later.

I mean Pickens more than likely only signs for 15-20m on a prove it deal unless he lights it up this year which gets you a 4th round comp more than likely and not a 3rd.

 

[Pass2Run]

Knowing our FO's penchant for getting the most bang for the buck, we'd best be prepared for having Pickens for 1 year before saying goodbye. The cost of re-signing him won't favor this FO at all. I'm certain that Jerry & Son will choose the NFL draft to replace Pickens in 2026. It's just how they roll.

But you're forgetting. Jerry loves him some wide receivers.

 

[ATXSRT]

DK at Pickens age/contract yes. DK at his current age/contract - no.

 

[Pass2Run]

I mean Pickens more than likely only signs for 15-20m on a prove it deal unless he lights it up this year which gets you a 4th round comp more than likely and not a 3rd.

I like how you know he's not going to bust though. Like, he's already had success in the league.

 

[Bullflop]

But you're forgetting. Jerry loves him some wide receivers.

Don't count on it -- chances are, he likes his money far more. The same goes for Stephen.

 

[Adreme]

I like how you know he's not going to bust though. Like, he's already had success in the league.

He could very well be a bust here. He’s not a top 20 NFL WR at the moment so the hope is he can take a step forward and become one and that his diva tendencies don’t hold him back.

However barring a catastrophic collapse or injury some team will offer him a 1 year 15m “prove it” deal just based on the big play potential and think they can fix him.

 

[plymkr]

Dk or Pickens. Tough one. Right now I’d go Pickens. Pickens is younger and he’s on a 1 year deal. At first I was angry at this trade because I felt it was too pricey of a draft pick for a 1 year rental. But we gave up a third and if Pickens balls out then he’ll price himself out of our range and we can get it 3rd round comp pick for him. So basically we’re gambling on Pickens behaving himself and producing on the field in 25. In 26, if possible we resign him to a manageable deal or we get our 3rd back. If he is a cancer he’s gone after this year. So I’m not seeing too much of risk after this season. He has a year to prove himself on and off the field and if he wants to stay and we can afford him then great, we got a steal. If he leaves we get a 3rd round comp pick then we basically rented him for swapping 3rd rounders. So now I’m liking it more.

As far as DK and Pickens. Right now I go with Pickens due to what I just said. If DK got here and we traded draft capital for him and took on that contract and it fizzled out, then we’re stuck with him. So Pickens is my vote.

 

[baltcowboy]

for the same compensation we gave for Pickens?

Did you see DK’s contract extension. He is making slightly less then CeeDee.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Depends on how much Pickens will cost if he gets an extension.

Side note - it's nice to have the younger of the two.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Now thats a very interesting question.

Basically would you rather do Metcalf for Ezeiruaku or Pickens for a 2026 3rd...Based on that I'd go metcalf, but you also cant ignore that Metcalf came with a 4 year $132M extension which certainly changes the equation a bit.

Hey, stop with this balanced viewpoint .

There are positives to both scenario's, and I realize it's not the thing to say, but this is an excellent trade and exactly what we needed. Isnt Pickens a better RedZone and contested catch threat?
To add to the discussion, i'd prefer trading the 3rd for Pickens over 2nd for Metcalfe, especially as we'll have the 'prove it' period and couldnt we recoup something in Compensation, if a team out pays us in 2026 (Milton Williams - 3rd, Sweat- 4th).

 

[Deep_Freeze]

DK is better, but cause of salary, not the best fit for this team.

We can mention Jerry and his cheap idiot son, but it will depend on how the season goes. If we actually get to and win a playoff game or 2, Pickens could get a payday. If not, maybe a franchise tag or let him walk.

At his age, I'd just tag him.

 

[Cowboyny]

I see it a bit differently.........I don't sense the same dawg in DK as Pickens, Lamb, AJ, Chase. I don't sense DK is a I'm that guy type of player. Kinda similar to Roy Williams we traded for.......wasn't hungry enough.

Fair enough, he really only has had 1 elite season with all that physical talent.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Fair enough, he really only has had 1 elite season with all that physical talent.

In other words, I don't sense the same dawg in DK as AJ Brown.

 

[charron]

Id rather they drafted golden, played Hoffman at guard. Then we'd have an up and coming receiver cheap while lamb is making big bucks. Then golden would get extended towards the end of CD's deal and they could move on from CD unless he signs cheap. Giving up a 3rd for a 1 year rental in a year you aren't even competing to win your division doesn't make sense.

 

[Cowboyny]

Id rather they drafted golden, played Hoffman at guard. Then we'd have an up and coming receiver cheap while lamb is making big bucks. Then golden would get extended towards the end of CD's deal and they could move on from CD unless he signs cheap. Giving up a 3rd for a 1 year rental in a year you aren't even competing to win your division doesn't make sense.

The NFL told us that Golden was overrated, that 40 time had all the media scouts pushing him too high as he was never an elite prospect. Good player, but not a top 12 one.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Fair enough, he really only has had 1 elite season with all that physical talent.

Alvin Harper had all the talent in the world next to Irvin, but when he tried to be a #1.....he failed miserably.

At least Pickens has been a number #1 successfully with all his issues. With risk comes reward, we really don't need a WR2, we needed 2 WR1s. We got that.

 

[charron]

The NFL told us that Golden was overrated, that 40 time had all the media scouts pushing him too high as he was never an elite prospect. Good player, but not a top 12 one.

Should have clarified, next best wr. I don't personally care if it was golden or the guy actually taken as the 2nd wr (I forget his name). Now maybe they will stop being cheap and extend Pickens and I'm just worried about nothin. That just hasn't been their MO in recent years. But it is kinda crazy if they are willing to pay pickens, cd and dak they wouldn't pay a top 1 or 2 running back.

 

[NeathBlue]

I mean Pickens more than likely only signs for 15-20m on a prove it deal unless he lights it up this year which gets you a 4th round comp more than likely and not a 3rd.

Won’t the compensation depend on how much the contract would be for and how much he plays, if he did sign for another team via free agency?

 

[conner01]

Yes

Read DK contract