Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Steelers’ Legend Outlook After Diontae Johnson Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded former wideout Diontae Johnson and a seventh-spherical acquire to the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday in trade for defensive relief Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Johnson has been an very just correct a part of the crew’s offense in most modern seasons and was a solid fantasy choice in both 2020 (88 catches for 923 yards and seven rankings) and 2021 (107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns), though the previous two years he’s fallen off in that regard.

So, how will Tuesday’s trade affect the crew’s other potentially fantasy-relevant avid gamers, including new quarterback Russell Wilson and wideout George Pickens?

You doubtlessly attach no longer are looking to draft Wilson as a starting choice at this level. He completed 14th amongst quarterbacks in fantasy components last season, posting correct three video games above 20 fantasy components in long-established-scoring leagues. He was even worse in 2022, finishing 16th.

And while the Steelers might perchance perhaps presumably add extra playmakers this offseason, namely within the draft, he just isn’t at all times actually exactly joining an explosive offense.

Wilson is no longer easy to belief at this level, and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith just isn’t at all times actually exactly eminent for increasing the fantasy worth of his talent-problem avid gamers. Proceed with warning.

There might be reasonably extra optimism for avid gamers love Pickens and tight cessation Pat Freiermuth, then over again.

The previous skool performed thoroughly last season when Johnson wasn’t on hand:

And while its questionable how mighty Wilson has left within the tank, he’s aloof an pork up over the crew’s quarterbacks from last season.

Freiermuth, within the period in-between, have to get a bump in utilization given the general lack of know-how in other locations within the passing sport, though Pittsburgh prioritizing wideout at the draft might perchance perhaps presumably alternate that math.

This doubtlessly just isn’t at all times actually an offense that is going to consequence in elite fantasy manufacturing. But Pickens will have legit WR2 upside subsequent season, while Freiermuth might perchance perhaps presumably sneak into the TE1 conversation if his new offensive coordinator doesn’t set him within the Kyle Pitts blender.