The Steelers are sitting on top of the AFC North at 6-2 heading into their Week 9 bye, and that changes the trade deadline conversation fast. With the November 10 deadline creeping closer, Omar Khan can’t afford to treat this like a team that’s already set. The window with a soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback is too narrow for that.
Pittsburgh’s clearest need is obvious: wide receiver help. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers should be locked into one lane.
If a player can help, Khan should be willing to listen. And while Pittsburgh is not expected to be a seller, there are a couple of names that could make sense going out the door if the right offer shows up.
Ladd McConkey is the cleanest fit of the bunch. He’s quick, twitchy, and built to win with route running, creating separation both inside and out of his breaks.
That’s exactly the kind of receiver the Steelers are missing. The concern is his injury history, including the broken ribs that have kept him on a snap count.
Even so, the Chargers are 0-7 and sitting at the bottom of the league, so they could be open to moving their top receiver if they decide to clean house.
Stefon Diggs is another name worth checking on. Washington’s 2-4-1 record hasn’t taken them out of the mix, and with Dan Quinn in the hot seat, the Commanders may not be eager sellers even if they should be.
Still, the Steelers ought to see whether Diggs could be pried loose. With the legal issues behind him, he’d give Aaron Rodgers a polished, dependable target in the passing game.
He turns 33 shortly after the deadline, but the one-year deal is cheap, and he’d be a boost for the stretch run.
Josh Downs has been in the rumor mill for weeks, and the fit is easy to understand. Pittsburgh needs receiver help, and Indianapolis appears to be clearing out.
The Colts have already moved Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner to NFC West contenders, so Downs could be next. He wouldn’t have the same impact as McConkey, but he could be the kind of swing worth taking if the price is right.
Indianapolis was reportedly asking for a third-rounder, though with Downs set to hit free agency after the season, they’d likely settle for less. At 5'9", 171 pounds, he’s undersized, but he gets open from the slot and handles man coverage well.
There’s also a defensive name in the mix. Riq Woolen isn’t a receiver, but he could still help.
One year removed from a Super Bowl campaign with the Seahawks, he’s now on an Eagles team that has no hope, which could make him available if Philadelphia sells. Pittsburgh’s cornerbacks have held up since getting picked on by Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 4, but tougher matchups could expose them again.
Woolen would add depth and security, and he could even take work from Asante Samuel Jr. or Daylen Everette if they struggle.
On the other side of the ledger, Mason Rudolph is the most logical player to move if the Steelers decide to do anything at all. He’s a solid backup, and there are quarterback-needy teams that might pay more than expected for him.
His contract expires after the season, and Pittsburgh probably won’t need him this year. Rather than lose him for nothing, Khan could turn him into a draft pick now.
And if Aaron Rodgers can’t get healthy enough to play in the playoffs, this team probably isn’t going anywhere with a backup anyway. If Rodgers were to go down for the season, plenty of fans would rather see Will Howard or rookie Drew Allar get the reps.
DK Metcalf is the other possible outgoing piece, though that only makes sense if the Steelers land a true difference-maker at receiver. If that happens, Metcalf could become the odd man out on a bad contract.
Over an 17-game pace based on his first eight games, he’s tracking toward a little over 800 yards and two touchdowns on 136 targets, which works out to 5.9 yards per target. That’s not enough for a No. 1, and he’s been a poor fit with Rodgers in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
If Pittsburgh lands the right receiver, Metcalf suddenly looks movable. And based on what he’s done this season, he’s already close to that point.
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