5 Last-minute trades that would instantly make the Steelers serious contenders

3. Steelers could trade for Patrick Surtain

The Steelers cornerbacks have been below the bar this season, and there haven’t been a lot of bright spots. Peterson has been average at best, as he has struggled to move around as was planned and seems to be declining as a boundary player. Levi Wallace has been a disaster on the other side, and his inability to play well has cost this team.

Of the names on this list, Patrick Surtain is certainly the biggest. A former top draft pick, he has quickly developed into one of the better cornerbacks in the league. He is only in the middle of his rookie deal, and while he hasn’t played as elite as he did a season ago, he would still be an instant upgrade for this secondary.

The reason he isn’t my top target is due to his likely cost. A good player isn’t going to be a cheap addition. Add in the fact that he still has over two years of control on his rookie deal and the asking price will suddenly be huge. While the Broncos are likely embracing a tank, they aren’t going to give Surtain away for just anything.

If Pittsburgh could get a deal done with only one premium draft pick involved, this would be a good deal. Unfortunately, there may be a bidding war and I just don’t find it likely that the Steelers win that. It would be a great fit, but because of the cost, I’m not sure this deal gets done.