Buy or Sell: 5 Steelers to keep or ship before the NFL trade deadline

Steelers CB Joe Haden: Buy

This is a tough one. Knowing that the Steelers really don’t stand a great shot at making the playoffs this year — let alone a Super Bowl run — Pittsburgh could consider shopping Joe Haden before the November 2nd trade deadline. However, Haden is one of the only veteran leaders in their secondary, and there’s a case to be made as to why he should stick around.

While he’s only a shade of his younger, Pro Bowl self at this point, Haden is a smart player who still knows how to take the ball away, and it’s only a matter of time before he makes a few splash plays in key moments for the Steelers this year.

In addition, Pittsburgh is razor-thin at the cornerback position outside of their top few guys. While Cameron Sutton is having a respectable season, James Pierre has been very up and down when filling in this year, and he has been badly burnt down the field twice for big touchdowns already this year in limited action. Likewise, the Steelers may not have anything going for them in Justin Layne or Ahkello Witherspoon (which looks like a terrible trade at this point).

Because of his age and average play, it might be in Pittsburgh’s best interest to just hold onto Joe Haden and let him ride out the remainder of his contract. If this team somehow starts playing much better, they could really use a veteran like Haden in the secondary.