The latest Pro Football Focus wide receivers' rankings have reopened the debate surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to move on from WR George Pickens, casting an uncomfortable spotlight on Steelers WR DK Metcalf.

Pittsburgh acquired Metcalf to replace Pickens after trading the former second-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

“In PFF's new receiver rankings for the 2026 season, Metcalf fell out of the top 25 and was listed as the No. 26 wideout,” Andrew Vasquez of Steelers Wire wrote in his article. “Where was Pickens ranked? As the ninth-best wide receiver in the National Football League - a brutal reminder of the talent Pittsburgh lost in the Dallas Cowboys trade.”

Andrew Vasquez of Steelers Wire wrote in his article that the Pro Football Rankings have “only served to rub salt in the wound,” reminding the Steelers about missing out on Pickens’ potential after trading him last season.

Pickens recorded career highs with the Cowboys in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (9) in 2025. While DK Metcalf posted 59 receptions for 850 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2025, his lowest since entering the NFL in 2019.

The Steelers traded Pickens due to his off-field attitude and behavioral issues that included unsportmanlike conduct and reported tardiness for meetings, according to Jack Markowski of Sports Illustrated.

But Pickens emerged as one of the league's elite receivers, thriving alongside WR Ceedee Lamb, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.

Meanwhile, Metcalf lacked a complementary receiver to draw coverage, isolating him in one-on-one matchups.

"Pittsburgh’s problem isn’t that the trade happened," Allison Koehler of Steelers Wire wrote in her article. "It’s that the roster hasn’t produced another receiver capable of forcing defenses to account for him on every snap."

PFF wasn't the only outlet to reward Pickens' breakout season, as another league-wide survey further highlighted how far his stock has risen since leaving Pittsburgh.

ESPN survey further reinforces George Pickens' rise after Steelers trade

Pickens was ranked at No. 7 among the Top-10 NFL wide receivers for the 2026 season, in an ESPN survey by NFL executives, scouts, and coaches, compiled by Jeremy Fowler in his ESPN article.

"One NFL coordinator did not hesitate when asked which Cowboys receiver is No. 1 on opposing game plans," Jeremy Fowler wrote in his ESPN article. "It's Pickens,' the coordinator said. 'He has emerged."

Fowler also wrote that Pickens was viewed as one of the NFL's premier contested-catch receivers by a veteran NFL offensive coach, who also suggested that his consistency could unlock another level of his game

As Pickens continues to earn recognition among the league's elite receivers, every new ranking is likely to invite fresh comparisons with Metcalf and renewed questions about whether Pittsburgh made the right decision.

What are your thoughts on George Pickens and DK Metcalf? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Rudra Dubey