DK Metcalf DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.

Per the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers are forfeiting their 2025 second-round pick in return and are signing Metcalf to a brand new, five-year, $150 million contract. Pittsburgh may not know who their next quarterback will be, but they're doing their best to surround him with standout talent. The 27-year-old will presumably slot in as the team's No. 1 wideout and, at worst, the 1A or 1B across from standing No. 1 pass-catcher George Pickens. It's an intriguing turn of events for Pittsburgh, though a necessary move for a team that's ranked in the league's bottom half in points per game since 2021. Metcalf started 2024 hot but fell off after a knee injury coincided with former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba's breakout. Still, at 27, the Ole Miss product should help bolster Pittsburgh's WR corps.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Seattle Seahawks' asking price for wide receiver DK Metcalf has been lowered, according to sources. The Seahawks would now be open to a return that centers around a second-round pick for the two-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher. Metcalf prefers to play in a warm-weather climate and is looking to make $30 million per season on a new deal. Seattle initially was looking for a first- and third-round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old wideout, and they are speaking to plenty of teams. The Green Bay Packers (not a warm-weather climate) and Los Angeles Chargers have already been mentioned as options, but the more obvious landing spot now becomes the Las Vegas Raiders after they acquired quarterback Geno Smith from Seattle on Friday. Metcalf had 992 yards last year but also had a career-low five TDs on 108 targets, his fewest since his rookie year. A change in locale won't necessarily make him more productive in 2025, but it should ensure he's the unquestioned No. 1.