The NFL trade deadline is tomorrow, and the Steelers find themselves as buyers given their record. Despite the early season success, this team still has a lot of holes that need to be filled. If this team wants to make a late push at a postseason run, fixing the holes with capable NFL talent will be a must.
There are a lot of sellers ahead of the deadline, and this has opened the door to some star players being listed on the trade block. While a receiver is everyone’s top wish list need, there isn’t a plethora of quality names available, and the ones that are options have been discussed to death.
Instead, the Steelers can prioritize on adding premium talent that will assist both this season and beyond. They can serve instant roles this year as they get up to speed and then, ideally, can become starters next year. Here are four last-minute blockbuster trades the Steelers need to consider.
Steelers could trade for Evan Neal
A newer name to the trade block, the Giants will need to do a soft reset this offseason. They need a new quarterback and can trim some fat with their eyes on the future. While still on his rookie deal, Evan Neal lost favor with New York and struggled to see significant action. He is still under contract through next year, plus the fifth-year option is available if he rebounds quickly.
The Steelers have some issues at tackle, mainly with Broderick Jones on the right side. Neal won’t be an instant replacement, but he can push Jones better than anyone currently on the roster. He has the rare size the Steelers love, and while he has been a disappointment as an early first-round pick, if he is cheap enough you should take a shot on him.
Steelers could trade for Kyle Dugger
Safety certainly isn’t a need on this roster, but if you have the chance to add a superstar like Kyle Dugger on the cheap, you have to pounce. Dugger is the classic strong safety/linebacker hybrid, which allows him to play all over the defense. He is a physical presence and one that can fill a lot of holes on a team.
Pairing him with Deshon Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick would give the defense a strong trio of safeties to work around. This would allow for a lot of flexibility on defense and unique schemes. Given the lack of immediate need, it would have to be cheap, but if the Patriots are aggressive sellers, you shouldn’t turn down great talent.
Steelers could trade for Jack Conklin
Jack Conklin wouldn’t be a super cheap option, but if the team wants to get Jones on the bench, Conklin is an instant fill. When healthy, Conklin is one of the better right tackles in the league, and his contract isn’t that inflated given his talent level. If he was added to the roster, he would provide an immediate upgrade at right tackle which would be huge heading into a postseason run.
There are some issues here. For starters, the Browns may not be willing to trade Conklin to a rival with two games against them still on the schedule. As well, his health has been horrible recently, so there is inherent risk there. If a fair deal can be struck though, the Steelers should make it. Conklin would be an immediate upgrade and has a friendly contract to work with through next year.
Steelers could trade for Marshon Lattimore
Similar to Dugger, cornerback isn’t the team’s biggest need right now. That said, if Marshon Lattimore is available and could be had on the cheap, the Steelers need to be calling. Lattimore has been one of the better cornerbacks over the past few seasons, and pairing him in this defense would give the team a scary trio for the remainder of the season.
The Saints are in fire sale mode. They are in cap purgatory after kicking the can down the road every season, and their roster isn’t performing. It looks like this team might embrace the tank and completely rebuild. This will be a multi-year process, so Lattimore won’t be relevant to the roster by the time they are good again.
The Steelers, meanwhile, could add Lattimore now and let him get up to speed for the remainder of this season. Donte Jackson is a free agent and may play elsewhere next year. Lattimore would be a great replacement and keep the cornerback room deep past this year. His contract would be reasonable with the Saints eating a lot of dead money, and he could either be restructured or extended next year to lower his cap hit. If the price is right, the team has to jump on it.