Proposed Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Davante Adams makes no sense

Mike Moraitis

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Proposed Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Davante Adams makes no sense image

The Pittsburgh Steelers are already being talked about as a possible suitor for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams considering their shaky situation at the position.

And with that comes analysts shooting their shots with trade proposals that land the veteran wide receiver in Pittsburgh. However, there's one floating around out there that doesn't make any sense for Pittsburgh to make.

According to Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team, the Steelers should trade wide receiver George Pickens and a 2025 third-round pick for Adams, who has reportedly requested a trade.

The problem with this proposal is it does pretty much nothing to help the Steelers. Sure, Adams is probably still an upgrade over Pickens at this point in his career, but acquiring him in a trade that sends away Pickens leaves the Steelers in the same boat they're in right now, minus a 2025 third-round pick.

With guys like Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and rookie Roman Wilson, who has yet to even make his debut in the NFL, Pittsburgh has a rough situation behind their No. 1 guy.

General manager Omar Khan wants to add on top of Pickens, not replace him. If the Steelers trade the former second-round pick in a deal for Adams, they would not be getting the kind of upgrade they need. Not to mention, they'd be swapping out a 23-year-old receiver for a soon-to-be 32-year-old.

If Pittsburgh really wants Adams without giving up Pickens, a trade package is going to begin with a second-round pick, seeing as how that's part of what Las Vegas reportedly wants for its star receiver.

The Raiders are also looking for additional compensation, although it isn't clear exactly what kind. Perhaps a second and a pick swap beyond that (a third for a fourth or a fourth for a fifth?) could be enough to get it done.

Whatever the Steelers do to try and acquire Adams, Pickens should not (and will not) be included in any deal.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.