When it comes to teams that need a wide receiver at the NFL trade deadline, you can point to the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers as perhaps the most prominent ones.
The Steelers don't have an adequate No. 2 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf. If this sounds like a familiar problem, that's because it is.
Pittsburgh was in the same boat last season, except wideout George Pickens was the guy they needed to add behind. Of course, Pickens is now with the Dallas Cowboys after an offseason trade.
The Giants aren't likely to compete for a playoff spot, but they could still use more help for rookie signal-caller Jaxson Dart, who doesn't have his No. 1 target, Malik Nabers, after the wide receiver suffered a torn ACL, ending his 2025 season early.
Now, Dart has a lackluster supporting cast and that's bad news for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, both of whom desperately need Dart to succeed in order to save their jobs.
One of the most coveted potential trade candidates out there for both the Steelers and Giants is Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who some speculate could become available at the trade deadline as the Dolphins swim toward yet another lackluster season that signals change could be coming.
Unfortunately for New York and Pittsburgh, it's status quo on Waddle's availability. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Waddle is not on the trade block.
"The Dolphins are getting calls on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle but don't have plans to trade him at this point," Fowler reported. "That can always change, but with Tyreek Hill injured, Waddle is a building block who can translate to any offense, which helps for a team that appears headed for major transition."
"He's owed $36 million over 2025-26, which is reasonable for high-end players at his position," Fowler concluded.
While the Dolphins should be selling just about everyone at the trade deadline, Fowler makes several good points as to why the team could keep Waddle.
He's young enough to be part of the team's long-term plans, and his contract is very reasonable for players at his position. Furthermore, if the Dolphins decide to move on from Tua next year or in 2027 in favor of a young quarterback, Miami already has a strong weapon in place for that signal-caller.
Waddle would have been perfect for both the Giants and Steelers, as not only would he amount to a huge upgrade now, he could've served as a key weapon alongside either Nabers or Metcalf for the long haul.
While it would've been fun to see Waddle escape the disaster that is Miami for the greener pastures of New York or Pittsburgh or just about anywhere else, it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
NFL trade rumors