The 2025 offseason has seen a number of high-profile receivers change teams via free agency. The likes of Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp and DeAndre Hopkins have undertaken a change of scenery so far. The same will also soon be true of Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper. 
This spring has also provided notable moves at the position via trade, however. A total of four swaps including wideouts have taken place in 2025; in three of those cases, the player included in the deal changed teams for the first time in their career. For all squads involved, the outcome of the trades will be key in determining their success this season and beyond.
March began with the 49ers sending Deebo Samuel to the Commanders. That deal – which yielded a fifth-round pick in return – came when team and player mutually agreed a parting ways was in order. Samuel had previously requested a trade, but his 2022 extension allowed him to remain in San Francisco. The 29-year-old has been unable to duplicate the production from his All-Pro campaign in 2021 when he showcased his receiving and rushing abilities.
Between a downturn in output and the massive extension which was (eventually) worked out with Brandon Aiyuk last offseason, many expected 2024 would be Samuel’s final year in the Bay Area. Shortly after the season ended, it became clear the Commanders were among the teams pursuing the former Pro Bowler. For at least one year (since he is a pending 2026 free agent), Samuel will offer the Commanders a veteran secondary WR option to complement perennial 1,000-yard performer Terry McLaurin.
Samuel saw his base salary for this year guaranteed via a restructure upon arrival in Washington. $3MM in incentives are present as well, adding to his earning potential on a Commanders team looking to replicate its surprising offensive success from 2024. The 49ers, meanwhile, will move forward with Aiyuk. Jauan Jennings and a number of younger options capable of handling at least a depth receiver role.
Christian Kirk initially appeared to be a cap casualty for the Jaguars this offseason. Instead of cutting the former Cardinal, however, the team’s new regime traded him inside the division to the Texans. A seventh-round pick in next year’s draft prevented Houston from having to win a bidding war for his services. Just like Samuel, Kirk restructured his contract shortly after being acquired.
The 28-year-old is also a pending free agent, so he too could prove to be a rental. Nico Collins will remain WR1 for the Texans in 2025, but the loss of Stefon Diggs and the likelihood of Tank Dell missing considerable time while recovering from multiple knee surgeries will give Kirk a notable role on his new team. Mentioned as a Steelers trade deadline target last fall, the former second-rounder saw his production decline over each of his three Jaguars seasons. Kirk should nevertheless be able to operate as a useful deep threat as the Texans transition to new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
The skill positions have undergone many changes in Jacksonville this offseason. Kirk’s trade was accompanied by the decision to cut wideout/returner Devin Duvernay, along with Gabe Davis. With Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram also no longer in the picture, first-year head coach Liam Coen will have a number of new pass catchers in place for 2025. The success of that new group will be a key talking point.
Even before March, D.K. Metcalf’s Seahawks future was uncertain. A desire to land a second extension (putting him near the top of the position’s market) paved the way for a trade request. General manager John Schneider later said finances were not at the heart of the decision to pull off a trade, noting the two-time Pro Bowler’s strong desire to move on. Seattle’s asking price originally included a first-round pick, but that was soon lowered. 
In the end, a second-round selection (in addition to a swap of Day 3 selections) proved to be sufficient for the Steelers to acquire Metcalf. The trade was immediately followed by a four-year, $132MM extension agreement. As a result of that pact, Metcalf, 27, met his known goal of joining the list of receivers earning at least $30MM per season on average. His AAV of $33MM ranks fourth at the position.
As Seattle moves forward with a receiver group centered on Kupp (who was added on a homecoming deal following his Rams release) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Pittsburgh will rely heavily on Metcalf for 2025 and beyond. Questions loom about Pittsburgh’s 2025 quarterback starter and his upside, but expectations will be high for in Metcalf’s case as a player who has posted no fewer than 900 yards in each of his six NFL seasons.
At first, the Metcalf addition seemed to put the Steelers in place to pair him with George Pickens for at least one campaign. The latter found himself on the move one month ago, however. Pickens was dealt to the Cowboys in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft (with late-round selections in the 2027 event being exchanged as well).
Pickens – who did not request to be moved – has one year remaining on his rookie contract. The 24-year-old is not aiming to sign a Cowboys extension at this point, so much will depend on his performance with his new team. Of course, this situation will also contain plenty of scrutiny in terms of maturity and locker room fit in Dallas. Issues on those fronts led to an ambivalence among many Steelers with respect to Pickens’ departure.
The Cowboys did not draft a first-round receiver as many thought they would, but adding Pickens will provide the team with a high-potential CeeDee Lamb counterpart. A strong showing from that tandem will help Pickens’ market value on a re-signing or a long-term arrangement with a third team. For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, Metcalf’s supporting cast faces questions (although another pass-catching addition is being explored). The Steelers’ decision to make one lucrative investment at any given time in a receiver is common enough, but the impact of replacing Pickens with Metcalf will be felt in 2025 as well as future years.
Keeping in mind the prices paid in these trades and the other receiver-related moves made by the teams who parted ways with those involved in the swaps, which do you think will work out the best? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section below.
I have to go with the two Steelers related trades, Metcalf and Pickens. I don’t like predictions, but I’d have to take Metcalf between them. Of all of the trades players, he’s the only one expected to be the number one, and is still young enough and physically talented enough to make big plays. Pickens is young and athletic enough, but definitely won’t supplant Lamb as number one without an injury.
Of course, this is assuming that by “successful”, we mean “best individual statistics”. Pickens’ pairing with Lamb could produce more wins or collective offensive stats, potentially, than the Steelers’ reliance on Metcalf without a dangerous second receiver. Kirk in Houston isn’t likely to replicate those type of stats, but his pairing with Collins could produce a better overall offensive product than Pittsburgh or Dallas, especially with what could be a better run game in a weaker division. Similarly, I don’t expect Samuel to post a big season, but working in conjunction with Washington’s offense (that may improve on the back of some early success, or may regress, we’ll see) could make his acquisition important.
Individually, I think that Metcalf will have the best stats, but in terms of overall offense, the other options could potentially be more successful after these trades. I’ll stick with him in that regard, but I’ll acknowledge the other points of view as potentially true. Metcalf is the only player of those listed expected to be the primary receiver, and Pickens will probably be relied on to carry high volume, too. Of course, injuries are always the great unpredictable factor here, so all this could be wiped out in an instant. We’ll have to see what happens.
Metcalf, Pickens, Samuel, Kirk in that order.
We all agree that Metcalf is talented, but most teams know how to get him frustrated. Once frustrated, he commits penalties, incorrect route running, and becomes less effective.
If healthy Samuel by a landslide. Think Daniels mobility will help open Samuel up more
If stroud can get adequate protection Kirk should have a good season operating as the #2 and defacto 1 if Collins misses time again
Pickens and Metcalf rely on a healthy QB situation. Which has been an issue for Dak recently and Rodgers is 41.
Steelers. It’s not even close.
Pickens will revive the Cowboys offense to Super Bowl levels. Expect Dak to be in the running for the Regular Season MVP in 2025. Expect the Cowboys to be playing in the NFC championship game for the 1st time since 1996. Go Cowboys- Super Bowl bound!
And… you should expect to be very disappointed…
Wow that’s quite the prediction. You do realize the Cowboys haven’t been really relevant since the mid 90s when it comes to the Super Bowl?
The continued overhype of one of the most overrated players ever, Tyshun Samuel, is so funny to me. He’s old and mentally soft. His transaction will be the least impactful of all these receiver trades
Deebo was born in 1996, and Metcalf was born in 1997, what are you on about?
I actually agree here. Deebo is cooked. He was trash last year in the best offensive environment with manufactured touches. He’s a year older and not willing to put in the work anymore. He’s a paycheck player now.
Steelers only replaced Pickens with Metcalf. Plus Aaron and a pedestrian offense, surprised that pick is leading the vote. Voted for Deebo, Commies have a better QB and didn’t replace a good player.
Easily Pickens.
Kirk is a non factor.
Samuel is always hurt.
DK was the best move until the Steelers shipped off Pickens and now have a guy who is a #4 WR on most teams and zero depth.
The cowboys have the a top 3 WR in Lamb, and a guy who hasn’t even come close to his ceiling yet in Pickens who should flourish opposite of Lamb.
There is no other pick unless somehow Samuel stays healthy all year and still out produces Pickens which I see as unlikely on both accounts of happening.
AK doesn’t like predictions and I don’t like ambiguity. Are we being asked which traded player will benefit most? Are we being asked which team will benefit most by parting with the player and opening another roster spot? Perhaps we are being asked which team that acquired the player will see the best upgrade. Then there are financial elements to consider to determine who benefitted most.
It’s 5:30 AM and I haven’t had my morning coffee. I’ll abstain from voting.