Current:Home > ScamsMike Williams trade grades: Did Steelers or Jets win deal for WR?-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Mike Williams trade grades: Did Steelers or Jets win deal for WR?
View Date:2024-12-23 18:42:01
The Pittsburgh Steelers had been seen as likely buyers for a wide receiver in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL trade deadline. Now, the leaders of the AFC North have finally made their purchase.
In the run-up to Tuesday's cutoff, the Steelers agreed to acquire Mike Williams from the New York Jets, sending a 2025 fifth-round NFL draft pick back in the deal, according to multiple reports.
For the Steelers, the 6-4, 218-pound target provides a big-bodied downfield target for Russell Wilson, who lacked many perimeter options beyond George Pickens. The Jets, meanwhile, cut their losses on a free-agent signing who never was able to get on the same page with Aaron Rodgers, with Williams just recording 12 catches for 166 yards this year.
Here's how both Pittsburgh and New York fared in the deal.
Mike Williams trade grades
Steelers grade: C+
A fifth-round pick doesn't represent a hefty tab, but there's still a price tag here for a mere nine games of work. While the motivation to provide an in-season boost to a passing attack that has shifted with Wilson taking over for Justin Fields, how much of a jolt can Pittsburgh reasonably expect from a 30-year-old who has failed to find his place in a new offense through his first campaign following an ACL tear? Ultimately, Wilson might need to simply trust Williams to come down with some jump balls – which isn't the worst use of the former Los Angeles Chargers standout's skill set. Maybe Mike Tomlin and the Steelers again maximize the returns from a talented pass catcher, but it doesn't seem like this will provide much of an edge against the AFC's elite.
All things Steelers: Latest Pittsburgh Steelers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Jets grade: B-
That the Jets couldn't find a way to push forward with Williams amid its last-gasp attempt at establishing relevance in the playoff picture speaks to how off things were between the receiver and the franchise. At least Joe Douglas recouped something from the ill-advised one-year, $15 million deal given to Williams this offseason. With Allen Lazard on injured reserve until early December, it'll be the Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams show from here on out for Rodgers and the Jets. But that was going to be the case regardless of whether Williams was moved or not.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Addresses PK Kemsley Cheating Rumors in the Best Way Possible
- 87-year-old scores tickets to Super Bowl from Verizon keeping attendance streak unbroken
- Adam Harrison, a son of ‘Pawn Stars’ celebrity Rick Harrison, has died in Las Vegas at age 39
- Score Up to 83% Off Smashbox, Burberry, Clinique, NuFace & More from QVC's Master Beauty Class
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- 911 calls from Maui capture pleas for the stranded, the missing and those caught in the fire’s chaos
- 4 local police officers in eastern Mexico are under investigation after man is shot to death
- Social media and a new age of cults: Has the internet brought more power to manipulators?
- Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is ending her retirement at age 40 to make a skiing comeback
- The thin-skinned men triggered by Taylor Swift's presence at NFL games need to get a grip
Ranking
- Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
- Inter Miami vs. El Salvador highlights: Lionel Messi plays a half in preseason debut
- Small plane makes emergency landing on snowy Virginia highway
- Opinion: George Carlin wasn't predictable, unlike AI
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- Christian McCaffrey’s go-ahead TD rallies 49ers to 24-21 playoff win over Packers
- The Fate of Kaley Cuoco’s The Flight Attendant Season 3 Revealed
- Nuggets hand Celtics their first loss in Boston this season after 20 straight home wins
Recommendation
-
QTM Community Introduce
-
Todd Helton on the cusp of the Baseball Hall of Fame with mile-high ceiling broken
-
Family sues Atlanta cop, chief and city after officer used Taser on deacon who later died
-
Trump’s attorney renews call for mistrial in defamation case brought by writer in sex-abuse case
-
West Virginia governor-elect Morrisey to be sworn in mid-January
-
Michael Jackson Biopic Star Jaafar Jackson Channels King of Pop in New Movie Photo
-
Ancient sword with possible Viking origins and a mysterious inscription found in Polish river
-
Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison in NASCAR Hall of Fame