The wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers appears to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ current target. The team has not been shy about their desire to add another elite receiver to complement George Pickens.
Although the 49ers have been categorical that they would prefer to sell the 26-year-old wide receiver than re-sign him to a contract, it is plausible that San Francisco would choose to receive draft capital rather than give Aiyuk a mega-extension if a team made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
When Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Gerry Dulac was asked what a fair offer from the Steelers would be in his most recent mailbag, he responded with a trade package that appears to be comparable to Aiyuk’s estimated trade worth.
“I believe what would be more likely is the Steelers giving up a future No. 2 choice and also swapping first-round picks,” Dulac wrote.
According to Dulac’s plan, the 49ers would select a 2025 second-round pick in addition to moving up from 31st to 20th overall in next week’s draft.
By moving up eleven positions, the 49ers would be in a position to select Aiyuk’s replacement in the second round of the 2024 draft class, which includes Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU, Adonai Mitchell of Texas, and Keon Coleman of Florida State.
In contrast, the Buffalo Bills acquired outstanding receiver Stefon Diggs, who is four years older and has a $22.52 million 2024 cap hit, from the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.
Aiyuk is coming off a breakout year in which he totaled 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns while averaging a career-best 17.9. He has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Pittsburgh has a glaring hole to fill in its WR room after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick and cornerback Donte Jackson.
