The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching and the Pittsburgh Steelers can't be caught napping. To the surprise of many Mike Tomlin's team is 6-2 entering the second half of the season, and Russell Wilson has given fans more reason to be optimistic than we ever could have expected.
The latest NFL power rankings suggest the Steelers are a bonafide top-10 team in the NFL and they could further help their chances of making a deep playoff run by bolstering their roster in in the waning hours before the deadline. Here are three trades Pittsburgh must make immediately.
Steelers must trade for WR Darius Slayton
After Davante Adams landed with the Jets and with Cooper Kupp no longer an option after the Rams' recent surge, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be all in on Darius Slayton. The Giants' WR put on a clinic against Pittsburgh's defense in Week 8, and Mike Tomlin got a good taste of what Slayton could offer this team.
With 4.39 speed and an extremely affordable contract on the last year of his rookie deal, adding Slayton would be a cinch if Pittsburgh was willing to give up one of their fifth-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While Slayton could turn into a half-year rental, his presence would help take Pittsburgh to the next level on offense. Just picture Russell Wilson launching moonballs to the speedster working opposite George Pickens.
Meanwhile, the Giants are a 2-7 team that should be more than willing to unload talent for draft capital before the deadline. Trade makes too much sense to ignore and Omar Khan needs to make it happen before the deadline.
Steelers must trade for CB Jonathan Jones
In order to land a top-flight starting cornerback, the Steelers would either be asked to part with too much draft capital or take on a hefty contract. Jonathan Jones offers the perfect blend of talent without breaking the bank.
Jones isn't a special football player, but he's still going strong at 31 years old and is deserving of a starting role on defense. The age is but a number for a Steelers team with their best players already in their 30s, and the time to act is now.
Jones plays mostly out wide but is also capable of slot duties if needed. His presence would push a struggling Donte Jackson into a smaller sub-package role. For the price of a late-round pick, Jones could offer depth, stability, and veteran leadership to a secondary that has been up and down this year.
Steelers must trade for DL Calais Campbell
Few NFL players can hold back Father Time the way Calais Campbell has. At 38 years old, Campbell is still the same dominant run defender he was a decade ago. The Steelers could use a player like this.
Campbell has the ability to play across the defensive line, as his strength and length make him a chess piece who can play anything from edge defender to defensive tackle. Pairing Campbell with Cam Heyward along the interior defensive line almost wouldn't be fair to opposing teams hoping to run the ball against Pittsburgh.
Because of his age and expiring contract after the 2024 season, the 2-6 Miami Dolphins should be willing to part with Campbell for a Day 3 pick-swap trade. Surrendering a fifth-round pick would be well worth it for a Steelers team trying to capitalize on a window.