The Pittsburgh Steelers are squarely buyers ahead of the NFL trade deadline. With a 6-2 record and an AFC North best record heading into their bye week, Pittsburgh is in a position to once again compete.
The biggest need for the team is obviously a receiver. Once again, the cupboards look bare for the Steelers, and their passing game is failing because of it. Don’t get me wrong, we have seen highlights, but if the Steelers want to actually compete, the passing game needs to take multiple steps forward.
DK Metcalf has been inconsistent and needs a better running mate to take some pressure off him. Germie Bernard has been a fine second option who can do some dirty work on short passes. Roman Wilson and Michael Pitman are injured and have been hot-and-cold options when on the field.
However, Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing a great brand of football right now either. Taking a massive swing at receiver and giving up a lot of capital to do so is foolish, given the core issues of this team.
If a big swing is taken, you need to have a long-term fit for that player. If not, you are sacrificing the long-term of this team for a murky short-term problem.
With that in mind, these three receiver trade candidates would be tough pills to swallow for the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to avoid these 3 receivers ahead of the trade deadline
Josh Downs, Colts
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. I like Josh Downs as a player. He is smaller but shifty and can be dynamic with the ball in his hands. He isn’t a traditional top option, but he can be a serviceable slot option for an offense.
The issue is twofold. While a good fit for this current offense, ideally the dink-and-dunk offense will end after Rodgers retires, so having another underneath threat long-term doesn’t feel logical. Add in his expiring contract, and he could very well be just a half-season rental.
The other issue is the projected cost. The Colts reportedly want a third-round pick for Downs. That is steep for a receiver who has never had more than 805 receiving yards in a single season. Even if that gets talked back to a fourth, that feels like too much for Downs.
Unless the Colts seriously drop their asking price, Downs feels like a far too costly and redundant option for the Steelers.
Ladd McConkey, Chargers
Like Downs, I like Ladd McConkey a lot. He is a classic slot receiver who runs sharp routes and gets open. Unfortunately, I think the same issue that Downs has as a fit in this offense is a similar issue for McConkey.
That said, he is a better player overall and is more versatile. He has found a lot more success in the NFL, although his best season came as a rookie. He has declined since, but he feels like the better player overall.
The asking price will be high, which is the other issue. A day two pick is a lock, and it is feasible that the Chargers ask for a second-round pick as a base for the deal. If Bernard wasn’t progressing like he is, I would be more in favor of this deal, but the high cost and duplicate skill set of Bernard make this a less-than-ideal fit.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
I have been squarely on the Brian Thomas Jr. bandwagon for quite some time. As a rookie, he was dynamic and looked like the next great LSU receiver. Since then, he has fallen flat on his face and doesn’t appear to be in favor with the staff in Jacksonville.
If you can land Thomas for a reasonable price, such as a fourth-round pick or a pick swap, I would be all for this deal. It doesn’t feel like he will be that cheap, though.
Marvin Harrison just went for a second-round pick and has underperformed Thomas so far. It feels like the asking price will start there. Given his struggles, I’m not even sure I’m comfortable spending a third-round pick on Thomas.
His fit and ability to potentially rebound are the selling points. Another big athletic outside receiver would be great for this team, a far better fit than any of the other receivers on this list. If the price is right, pull the trigger, but overspending on Thomas could lead to a disaster.
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