If you're hoping the Pittsburgh Steelers will make another move to bolster their roster before the sun sets on the NFL trade deadline today, there's reason to be optimistic. Head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear in his press conference last week that this team will always be 'buyers' at the deadline. And after upsetting the Indianapolis Colts, there's even more incentive for this team to go all-in.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the cornerback position has been a disaster this year. Joey Porter Jr. hasn't developed as planned, and the Steelers have suffered injuries in their secondary. The biggest issue, however, is Darius Slay. The 34-year-old has been a liability all season, and Tomlin should be desperate to find an upgrade.
Thankfully, there are a handful of bottom-dwelling teams that should be more than open to selling low at the NFL trade deadline for late-round capital in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade for one of these veteran cornerbacks before the deadline
Jarvis Brownlee Jr., New York Jets
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a youthful cornerback who can do it all, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is a great gamble. The 2024 fifth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans is already on his second team, but he looks much better in year two with the New York Jets.
Brownlee has a powerful frame but lacks elite height and length. Still, his more than capable of playing on the boundary or in the slot, as he's logged over 100 snaps at each of these alignments so far this season. The addition of Brownlee would allow Jalen Ramsey the flexibility to stick at free safety or move back to the boundary.
Brandon Stephens, New York Jets
If the Steelers are looking for a move experienced and proven commodity in the secondary, they can look to one of Brownlee's teammates. Brandon Stephens has struggled at times in his first four seasons, but in year five, he's having the best season of his career.
Stephens has 56 starts in 73 games. The former Baltimore Ravens cornerback has excellent size (6'1'', 215 pounds) to go with 4.44 speed. With a salary cap number of $14 million in each of the final two years on his contract in 2026 and 2027, per Over the Cap, the Jets could get on board with unloading his contract before the deadline.
With his guarantees and half of his base salary already paid this year, the Steelers could stomach the cap hit.
Rasul Douglas, Miami Dolphins
If the Steelers are okay with adding another 30-year-old defensive back (and they've shown they clearly are), Rasul Douglas makes a lot of sense. The Miami Dolphins are bottoming out and willing to unload quality veterans (as we recently saw in the Eagles' trade for pass rusher Jalen Philips). Douglas could be next.
The long-time cornerback has had an excellent NFL career. Despite his team's disappointing performance halfway through the 2025 season, Douglas is PFF's eighth-ranked cornerback in the NFL entering Week 10. He's allowed just 6.6 yards per target on the season and an 88.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
READ MORE: Steelers might’ve just found their Darius Slay alternative without a trade
Douglas's 115 games and 82 starts will help him get up to speed quickly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran is currently playing on a one-year $1.535 million contract with the Dolphins. This would be nothing more than a half-season rental for Pittsburgh at the cost of a late-round draft pick.
Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders
If the Steelers insist on adding more youth and speed to the cornerback position before the NFL trade deadline, Eric Stokes might make the most sense of the group. Stokes has hardly lived up to his billing as a former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he's having a career season in his first year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In seven starts this year, Stokes has allowed just nine receptions on 20 targets (45 percent completion). This is good for a mere 5.3 yards per target and a 61.5 passer rating when targeted.
Stokes is the perfect blend of experience (39 starts) and youth (26 years old). The former Georgia prospect also possesses size 6'1'', 193 pounds and blazing 4.31 speed. Omar Khan should be on the phone with the Raiders to get something done.