Who Is Left for Steelers in Wide Receiver Trade Market?

After the first six weeks of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 5-2. Not only are they in prime position to secure a playoff berth but the AFC North crown is within striking distance. In order to be taken serious as a contender in this conference, it would be in their best interest to acquire another playmaker to add some additional firepower offensively. Even after a quarterback change to theoretically enhance their passing offense, valid complimentary receiver questions loom.

Over the past week, we’ve seen the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and even the New York Jets, trade for a wideout for this same reason. Because of that, the market has been diminished but there are still a handful of guys out there that would be particularly useful additions, if not substantial upgrades over what they currently have on the roster. Let’s talk through some interesting names to keep an eye on as the trade deadline inches closer.

Rams WR Cooper Kupp

One of the biggest storylines around the NFL right now comes out of Los Angeles where they’re reportedly open to trading former All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. The 31-year old is one of the originators of the “power slot” archetype: someone who can uncover quickly on two-way go’s, create after the catch and factor in as a blocker in the run game. In Sean McVay’s system, he’s has proven that he can handle robust volume with the majority of that coming as a slot receiver, but he has flanker versatility as well. Kupp is a masterful route runner who excels on out-breakers because of how efficient of a mover he is along with having a supreme understanding of how to set up defenders.

The biggest concern regarding this potential acquisition is that he’s now missed at least four games due to injury in three straight seasons. He’s still under contract through 2026 but there is very little remaining guaranteed money attached to that deal. Kupp is still probably 85-90% of his peak powers and someone who matches the timeline of a Steelers defense that’s ready to contend in the playoffs right now. As far as guaranteed available names out there, he offers the most immediate upside and could likely be had for a third round selection. But the Steelers have balked at big swings like this recently but there’s no doubt that Kupp would boost this offense in multiple ways.

Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers

Far from a household name but Jakobi Meyers has a rightful claim as one of the most underrated players at his position in the entire NFL. For example, would you believe me if I told you that he scored double digit touchdowns last season with Jimmy Garopollo and Aidan O’Connell throwing him the rock? Meyers is another inside/outside versatile chess piece who can aptly be described as a “jack of all trades but master of none” type of player who is useful in a number of different ways but isn’t dominate in one area. His best work comes in the intermediate areas of the field on digs and deep out-breakers, but the best part of his game is undoubtedly his magnets for hands. He catches everything in his vicinity.

Meyers hasn’t been a name mentioned a lot in trade circulation yet which admittedly puts his availability in question after the team just got rid of Davante Adams. But it’s obvious for everyone to see that Vegas is in a full-on rebuild at this point and could use the draft capital, even if they would like to keep Meyers around for obvious reasons. He’s not a dynamic athlete and at 27-years old, his ceiling is fairly capped as a competent #2 wide receiver but that’s what the Steelers are missing right now. He can defeat man coverage, be a reliable security blanket and high-effort blocker that Arthur Smith would be excited about.

Giants WR Darius Slayton

For one reason or another, Darius Slayton’s name has been vaguely involved in trade rumors over the past couple of seasons. When you turn on the film, it’s clear as day that this dude can really run with the ability to get to full speed (4.39 40-yard dash in 2019) in the blink of an eye. Over the course of his professional career, he’s used his athleticism to mold himself into a big play machine. Another nice element of his game is his ability to defeat press coverage, with multiple different styles of release to get defenders off balance on the line of scrimmage. Opposing corners have a really difficult time getting hands on and he’s very effective on slant routes working over the middle.

Just by looking at his strengths, a 6-foot-1 receiver who runs like a gazelle, can play on/off the ball and explodes out his breaks, you’d assume that this is a high caliber starter that we’re discussing but that’s not the case. Slayton’s inconsistencies simply hanging on to the football as a habitual body catcher has prevented him from ever ascending to that next level. The Steelers will get a good look at him on Monday night football and a loss could be the final push needed in order to turn the Giants into sellers at the deadline. Slayton is best used in moderation but he can create space for himself and his explosiveness is a nice pairing for what the Steelers are leaning into offensively.

Jets WR Mike Williams

If you want size and physicality at the receiver position, Mike Williams is your guy and for quite some time, was widely acknowledged as one of the leagues best “Robin’s.” He operates similar to a 1990s power forward, using his body to box out defenders at the catch point while also having the ability to contort his body midair seamlessly. His focus and concentration with the ball in the air has routinely made him one of the leagues best contested catch threats who always seems to know exactly where the sideline is. His experience versus press is a plus, he knows how to use his hands to keep himself clean both at the line and at the top of the route. Once Williams has a defender on his back, the rep is usually over because his frame is simply too overwhelming for corners to work through en route to the ball.

In September of 2023, the former first-round selection took his final snap as a Charger due to a torn ACL injury. The Steelers had interest in bringing him in for a visit earlier this offseason but that meeting never took place because the Jets swooped in and offered him a sizable contract. Now, it seems like Pittsburgh may have another crack at him. Williams’ play so far this season shows a noticeable lack of burst in his movements and it’s pretty clear that he’s not 100% back to form just yet. If this is the direction that the team goes, they’re banking on him getting more comfortable as the season progresses. In theory, having another ball winner outside isn’t the worst skill set to add to the equation.