NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers Needs & Candidates Ahead Of The NFL Trade Deadline
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2 and first in the AFC North.
They have won three straight games, scoring 26 or more points in each of the last three games.
However, they have a daunting schedule after their week 9 bye.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers hope to win the AFC North, they need to make a move at the NFL trade deadline.
Below, we take a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ needs ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Steelers Needs Ahead Of The NFL Trade Deadline
The Pittsburgh Steelers still need to boost their roster despite being in first in the AFC North.
If the Steelers want to win their division and a playoff game for the first time since 2016, they need to make a move at the NFL trade deadline.
There are two glaring weaknesses the Pittsburgh Steelers have and must address.
Wide Receiver
All offseason, the talk around the Steelers is they need to bolster their WR group. They have yet to do so. George Pickens is leading the group with 35 receptions, 548 receiving yards, and one receiving TD.
However, after Pickens, no WR has over 300 receiving yards after eight games. Calvin Austin has 257 receiving yards and he is second among WRs on the Steelers and third in receiving yards behind TE Pat Freiermuth (264 receiving yards).
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini mentioned she thinks the Steelers are trying to do something regarding adding a WR. She mentioned names like Darius Slayton, Diontae Johnson, Christian Kirk, DeMarcus Robinson, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, and Kendrick Bourne as possible options.
However, Russini failed to realize the Steelers are not able to trade for Diontae Johnson. There is an NFL rule that would prohibit the Steelers from acquiring Johnson since they traded him in the offseason.
Here are the full NFL rules on trades and players being re-acquired. https://t.co/8MF8IaudEG pic.twitter.com/eXboevtY8n
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2024
Christian Kirk is out for the remainder of the season, so he is not an option.
The options are slim for the Steelers but they need to boost their WR room at the NFL trade deadline.
Defensive Back
This is becoming more of a pressing issue than people realize. The pass defense has been shaky this season. Opposing teams are finding their WRs open constantly against the Steelers.
Joey Porter Jr is a solid corner. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a tremendous playmaking safety. However, after those two, the defensive back group is shaky at best.
Come playoff time, the Steelers will be facing QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, CJ Stroud, and Lamar Jackson. They will pick apart the secondary.
The defensive back group may be a more pressing need than adding a WR at this time.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should look to acquire a corner ahead of the NFL trade deadline.