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Steelers trade targets: Watch Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr. before NFL deadline
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- Steelers trade targets: Watch Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr. before NFL deadline
The list of glaring needs for Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 is remarkably short.
The offensive line, which has been a franchise project for years, has come together nicely since guard Brock Hoffman and rookie tackle Max Iheanachor were installed on the right side starting in Week 3. The offense has depth at running back, quarterback and tight end.
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The defensive front seven is swallowing opposing running games whole at the moment. The Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints have totaled just 52 rushing yards total over the past two games. And the defensive secondary has been containing explosive pass plays thanks to first-year coordinator Patrick Graham's zone coverage schemes.
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Of course, adding star power at any of those position groups could help. In terms of tangible weaknesses, however, the receiver position stands out as the one place where this team is clearly deficient right now.
Injuries are the No. 1 reason. Key offseason acquisition Michael Pittman Jr. has appeared in just three games and made limited impact because of a foot injury. Former third-round draft pick Roman Wilson has also been on the proverbial shelf for several weeks with a finger injury.
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The latter still has fewer than 400 yards in his career, now in his third season, so it's not clear he could make a significant impact consistently even if he were healthy.
Veteran DK Metcalf, meanwhile, has been mostly ineffective as the team's top receiver. He's had 40 or fewer yards in five of his eight games this season. Only one receiver in football has more than his six drops. His contested-catch percentage of 39.1% ranks 17th among 21 receivers with at least 50 targets in 2026, per Pro Football Focus data.
Second-round draft pick Germie Bernard has shown some positive signs with 284 yards and a touchdown to open his first NFL season, but he has not yet developed as a meaningful downfield threat. His average depth of target (ADOT) is just 4.9 yards.
The Steelers , therefore, have a clear mandate for change at this position, should Khan be willing to part with NFL draft capital to acquire it. Here, USA TODAY Sports looks at potential trade targets and why they do - or don't make sense.
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WR Josh Downs - Indianapolis Colts
ESPN's Dan Graziano linked the Steelers to the fourth-year veteran in a report Wednesday morning. The Colts are 2-6 and look like clear sellers, and Downs is nearing the end of his rookie deal, which should make his price manageable.
The upside in his statistical profile is clear. His ADOT is 10.3 yards, which has allowed him to threaten parts of the field that Bernard has not as the team's No. 2. With 330 total receiving yards, he's only been marginally less productive than DK Metcalf, who has 378.
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There's reason to be concerned that his skill set overlaps with Wilson's. Both are smaller receivers who work primarily out of the slot and rely on separation to make plays.
The Steelers can't wait on Wilson's development, though, as they sit in first place in the AFC North. If they can acquire a more proven slot option for a reasonable price, then that makes them better, whether Wilson is healthy or not.
WR Brian Thomas Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars
The 2024 first-round pick just hasn't fit in coach Liam Cohen's offense. His numbers have dropped precipitously from 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie to 707 yards and two scores upon Cohen's arrival in 2025, and to 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns this season. Trade rumors have swirled around him as a result.
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He offers more size than Downs at 6-2. And at his best as a rookie, his ADOT was a robust 11.9 yards.
First-year coach Mike McCarthy would need to be confident that a change of scenery could yield immediate results. The Steelers already have enough headaches with Metcalf. They don't need a second project if they have productive names available.
WR Garrett Wilson - New York Jets
The Jets star is one of the few names Khan could acquire with the clear intent to surpass Metcalf on the depth chart. He's been a 1,000-yard receiver in each of his three healthy seasons. And he has 43 catches for 527 yards and three touchdowns in 2026.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was his signal caller for two of those productive seasons in New York, so there's pre-existing chemistry to potentially be mined.
The Jets have him under contract through 2030, so there's no clear need to move him, even in the midst of an abysmal 2-6 start. The Steelers would probably have to present an offer Darren Mougey could not refuse to get something done. It's questionable whether that's worthwhile for the Steelers with Metcalf under contract and uncertainty at quarterback after Rodgers retires at the end of the year.
WR DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
The former Heisman Trophy winner is another good receiver on a 2-6 team that's going nowhere this year. He's more affordable than Garrett Wilson, with only two years left on his deal at a reasonable rate. He's been productive with 310 yards and two touchdowns in just four games. He's also a true downfield threat, with a career ADOT of 13.6 yards.
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The four games are the problem. He's battled a hamstring injury this year, so Khan may not want to add more potential issues to the ones he already has with Pittman and Roman Wilson.
WR Ladd McConkey - Los Angeles Chargers
This 24-year-old should simply cost too much for the Steelers. Unlike Thomas, he's remained productive, even as the Chargers are 0-7. He's averaging 16.8 yards per catch in 2026 and a highly efficient 2.23 yards per route run.
For those reasons, Los Angeles would likely prefer to give him a nice contract extension than give him up to the Steelers for anything less than a proverbial mint. And the Steelers aren't the franchise that traditionally overpays to get what it wants.
As former coach Mike Tomlin once said: Never say never, but never.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers trade targets: Watch Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr. before NFL deadline
