5 best players Steelers could land before the trade deadline

4. Mike Hughes

Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings

The Steelers may be set right now at cornerback, but that doesn’t mean they should pass on grabbing a very talented, young player like Mike Hughes. Hughes was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, along with players like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds.

Apart from a pedestrian 40-yard dash (4.53), Hughes had some impressive testing numbers at the NFL Combine – including a 127” broad jump, a 6.70 3-cone drill, and 20 reps on the bench. Hughes is a physical player and one of the only players doing well for the Vikings so far this year.

Though the Steelers are deeper at cornerback now than they have been in quite some time, Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton are both set to be free agents after the 2020 season. In addition, Joe Haden is set to make nearly $15.6 million in 2021, and Pittsburgh could save over $8.5 million by cutting him during the offseason.

Hughes meanwhile is just 23 years old and will still have two full years remaining on his rookie deal in addition to the fifth-year option, should the Steelers choose it. He still has a lot of developing to do as a player, but a proactive move to land a talented cornerback could prove to be beneficial.