The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of a handful of teams at the center of wide receiver trade rumors ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The Steelers have dealt with an injury list at the position, with Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson both on IR. Additionally, it has been a very disappointing season from DK Metcalf. The seventh highest-paid receiver in the NFL currently ranks 22nd in catches and 26th in yards with his yards per route run of 1.2, ranking him 78th in the NFL (min. 50 routes run).
The Steelers still found a way to get to 6-2 by relying on their ground game and their defense. However, adding a receiver who can make their aerial attack a little more dangerous could be what puts them over the top and helps them have a successful January run. With just three days until the trade deadline, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler lists three names that Pittsburgh, among other teams, are listed on.
“Brian Thomas Jr and Josh Downs are two key names,” Fowler writes. “I expect one or both to be moved. Kansas City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco among teams in WR market. Calvin Ridley is considered a backup option for teams.”
Thomas has been the hottest name on the market for over a month, as he fell off the totem pole in Jacksonville behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers. The Colts have initiated a fire sale that includes trading Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Downs would be the second Colts receiver Pittsburgh traded for this year, as they acquired Pittman in March. Ridley played just 53 percent of the Titans’ offensive snaps, down from more than 80 percent two seasons ago.
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