There are plenty of things wrong with the Steelers right now, and they could use some help. The NFL Trade Deadline falls on Halloween this year, which is ironic for a lot of these players that could be dealt. Pittsburgh's football team is in need of a couple of upgrades, but their need at cornerback might be the most pressing.
As mentioned above, there should be other spots in the starting lineup in search of upgrades by Omar Khan before the trade deadline. Joey Porter Jr. is starting to see his role grow on defense and he has answered that call with flying colors thus far. Trying to find someone to compliment him on the opposite outside cornerback spot is where the current issue arises.
Jaylon Johnson has been connected to the Steelers before the deadline
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first as plenty of rumors have been surrounding Jaylon Johnson of the Bears. Chicago is in trouble, and it seems like their season is already over before the halfway point of the schedule. Johnson has been a solid corner for the Bears since he was drafted there and is scheduled to become a free agent after the year.
Right now, the Steelers have to decide between starting Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace as the other starter opposite of Porter. Someone like Johnson would be an immediate upgrade and could play the role that Ahkello Witherspoon did a couple of years ago. It might take time for Johnson to catch onto the defense, but he should be able to start down the stretch.
If everything fails, then you burnt a late-round pick in the upcoming draft on a guy you tried out basically. If he succeeds and helps improve your defense, then you can go back toward the contract extension route after the season is over. With all the rumors surrounding Johnson and Pittsburgh, this trade would make a lot of sense for all parties involved.
Kendall Fuller could be a nice addition for Pittsburgh if he is available
One player that has been flying under the radar in the NFL for the past several years has been Kendall Fuller. He has graded out well and would be an immediate upgrade over Wallace and Peterson if he were plugged into the lineup right now. The biggest issue for Fuller is his size and many have knocked him on that since coming out of college.
That has not stopped his ability as a cornerback to cover receivers in this league. One of the biggest concerns about acquiring someone like Fuller is the cap number that follows him for the rest of this season. He would be a rental piece for now as he is currently scheduled to become a free agent once this campaign ends.
No one can deny how good he has been since coming into the NFL, and he has only gotten better. He would be a tremendous get for the Steelers if they found a way to pluck him out of the Washington Commanders lineup. The biggest question mark about forming a deal here is if Washington would have any interest in moving someone like Fuller.
They just drafted a corner in the first round, but Fuller should be someone in talks for an extension rather than a trade. If the Commanders are out of a playoff spot and punt on this season, then it would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to bring him in. Right now, the Commanders are challenging for a playoff spot, so this trade could be tricky to maneuver.
C.J. Henderson could be a buy low investment for the Steelers
Most might dislike the idea of bringing in a former first round pick that has been labeled a bust by many. C.J. Henderson is a former ninth overall pick back in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He disappointed in Florida and was traded to Carolina just two years later for a fifth-round selection that year.
It was a new low for Henderson's career in the NFL and he has not completely blossomed with the Panthers. It is hard because Carolina has had a terrible time ever since Henderson joined the club, so maybe a new change is best for him moving forward. The Steelers would be able to trade for a player like Henderson for pennies on the dollar.
He is coming off his best season statistically just this past year and could be on the rise. Henderson is still only 25 years old so there is potential for some growth there in his game. One of the biggest issues with this player compared to others on this list is the gamble that would come with bringing him onto the team.
There is a learning curve when a player is traded, but joining a club in the middle of the season only makes matters worse. Henderson would be a cheap gamble and someone who could potentially be better than Wallace and Peterson, at least in some packages on defense. If they are looking for a cheap add at the deadline with some starting upside, look no further than here.
Pat Surtain II could be a big splash deal that Pittsburgh has made in the past
Never say never until the NFL trade deadline passes, but the Steelers seem like they will steer clear of the splash deal this season. This team has a small chance of making the playoffs let alone get close to the Super Bowl. That same statement could have been said when the black and gold made a splash when they added Minkah Fitzpatrick a few years back.
They didn't have their franchise quarterback at the time of the deal, and many thought the Steelers were insane to do it. Now they are sitting in another boat that makes them seem kind of careless if they would consider trading a first-round selection in the upcoming draft. Khan is smart and would try his best not to deal their top pick, but nothing should be off the table for now.
Patrick Surtain II from the Denver Broncos is a star cornerback who could be a boost to Pittsburgh's lineup. He has been one of the best young corners in the NFL ever since he was drafted ninth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was once seen as a key piece for the Broncos defense moving forward, but their current season has derailed that thought.
Denver is looking for draft capital as they try and find different ways to speed up the rebuilding process. The Steelers would likely have to depart with their first round pick this year, and potentially more to secure someone like Surtain. He is also on his rookie deal for another couple of years so that is another added bonus about this potential upgrade at corner.
Adoree' Jackson could bring some flexibility to this secondary that they need
Another name that has been in the rumor mill in the past has been Adoree' Jackson. He has not popped up in the rumor mill recently, but he has seen his name show up in that circle in the past. The Steelers would be a nice destination for Jackson, and he has some connections to Pittsburgh. Past availability connected his name to the team.
He did not have a pre-draft visit with the Steelers when he came out of college back in 2017. He was taken way before the black and gold had an opportunity to select him. They ended up picking T.J. Watt that year and that turned out to be the right choice. Jackson was a free agent years back and many thought the Steelers made a lot of sense.
He would sign a massive contract with the New York Giants that would carry him on his current deal through next year. One would have to imagine that Pittsburgh would review his play for the remainder of this year before committing to keeping him around at his current price. Much like Kendall Fuller mentioned earlier in the article, fitting a high cap number would be difficult.
That issue would be a problem, but it would not be impossible to pull off. Jackson is an interesting player who has not slowed down as he continues to sit in the peak prime years of his career. He can play outside, but he can also play in the slot if needed. He has also shown the ability to be a quality returner earlier in his career, which could be interesting.
Byron Murphy is another veteran that could benefit from a trade to the Steelers
Right now, the Steelers are in a comfortable spot in the standings even though things might be close. They will need to find different ways to improve their disappointing start. They might have been sitting on top of their division at the bye week, but they have a bunch of issues. Those problems need to be fixed, especially on offense.
Cornerback is one of the biggest weaknesses currently, and there are some interesting veterans that could be dealt before the deadline. One name that could pop up in the rumor mill is Byron Murphy of the Minnesota Vikings. A lot has gone wrong for Minnesota, and it seems like they will have to consider moving a couple of pieces via trade over the next week and some change.
Murphy could be a prime candidate and the Steelers should show some interest in the veteran. They added Peterson this past offseason but neither he nor Wallace have done an acceptable job in a starting role. Again, trying to find different ways to fit Murphy in the cap situation moving forward would need to be situated before a move happened.
He is paid handsomely for this year and next, so it is possible that Wallace or Peterson could go back the other way to make things even. Either that or the Vikings would have to pay some of the remaining deal. Murphy has not been stellar this year, but he would be a nice addition in a second cornerback role that compliments Porter on the opposite side.