The Pittsburgh Steelers could be buyers at the NFL trade deadline, and we already know one team that is selling: the Indianapolis Colts. On Tuesday, the Colts traded eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks.
But Indy is hardly done unloading players before the deadline.
NFL insider Ari Meirov reported that the Colts are 'willing to listen to offers on anyone'. We assume this excludes players like tight end Tyler Warren and cornerback Sauce Gardner (whom Indianapolis traded two first-round picks for last year). But most players could be on the table.
This is good news for a team like the Steelers, who may look to bolster their roster before the November 10 deadline. The Colts don't have a surplus of star power to offer with Nelson already gone, but these four trade targets could make sense for Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade for these Colts starters before the NFL trade deadline
Josh Downs, WR
This connection is easy to make. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a need for wide receivers who can get open, and Josh Downs fits the bill. At 25 years old and with two 750-plus-yard seasons under his belt already, Downs has found production from the slot.
However, there are a few drawbacks. At 5'9'' and 171 pounds, Downs has a small catch radius that sometimes shows up on tape. He's also entering a contract year, which means the undersized wide receiver may only prove to be a half-year rental.
But with a need at the position and the Colts in fire-sale mode, Downs could be on the Steelers' trade radar.
Matt Goncalves, G
The Steelers already missed out on the best guard the Colts had when Nelson was traded to the Seahawks, but Matt Goncalves is an excellent consolation prize and might be an even better gamble at a discounted cost.
Goncalves has quietly been one of the better guards in football this season, grading out as a top-25 player at the position among 74 qualifying players, per Pro Football Focus.
But here's the best part: Goncalves is still just 25 and with another full year left on his rookie contract in 2027, meaning he wouldn't just be a rental for the remainder of the 2026 season, but he would also have a shot at being part of the long-term plan on the offensive line.
Goncalves plays right guard, so the Steelers could easily swap him in for Brock Hoffman (who's been disappointing over the past three weeks), and this deal would cost less than the Seahawks' rental trade for the 30-year-old Nelson.
Charvarius Ward, CB
At 30, Charvarius Ward is well past the peak of his career we saw in San Francisco in 2022 and 2023. But that doesn't mean there's nothing left in the tank to offer. Ward is still a big, long, physical cornerback who would allow defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to switch things up and play more press-man with Jamel Dean on the opposite side.
Ward has only been an average starting CB this year, but in a new setting on a team that possesses a better defense, he could find new life in Pittsburgh. Though Ward is on a hefty contract with a year remaining in 2027, this could drive down the trade price to just a Day 3 pick. The Steelers would have the option to get out of his deal after the season if he performs poorly.
Camryn Bynum, S
Like Ward, Camryn Bynum wouldn't be a long-term answer for the Steelers, but he could offer some relief, depth, and experience to a struggling secondary immediately. At 28, Bynum has started 78 of 89 games entering Week 8 of the 2026 season while recording an impressive 13 interceptions.
Bynum could offer a much-needed splash in the secondary, and if DeShon Elliott continues to struggle after the injury—or if more injuries occur—Bynum would be a quality insurance policy.
Admittedly, this one feels a bit rich to me, as Bynum also has a pricey contract that runs through the 2028 season. However, he doesn't have guaranteed money beyond the 2026 season, and the Steelers could get out of his contract as early as the 2027 offseason if things don't work out.
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