In the never-ending cycle of trade scenarios that can’t all possibly come true, a pair of CBS Sports analysts is offering last-minute suggestions to boost the Pittsburgh Steelers’ slow secondary ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Among the list of five names Omar Khan should trade for, which included usual suspects like WR Jakobi Meyers, two cornerbacks were put on the Steelers’ radar: the New Orleans Saints’ Alontae Taylor and Seattle Seahawks’ Tariq Woolen.
“The Darius Slay signing, the Jalen Ramsey trade,” said analyst John Breech. “I don’t think those have worked out as well as the Steelers would’ve liked. So how do you improve things? You call the Seahawks, you see if Tariq Woolen is available. It doesn’t seem like he’s fitting in with [head coach] Mike Macdonald’s scheme.”
At 5-2 and leading the NFC West, the Seahawks aren’t in a typical seller’s position. However, as Breech notes, Woolen could be addition by subtraction. He’s been the subject of trade rumors all season. He’s still started all six games this season but hasn’t made a significant impact, deflecting only three passes and failing to record an interception.
Standing in at 6’4 and nearly 34-inch arms, he has the “Avatar” size the Steelers have collected at cornerback. Whether drafting Joey Porter Jr., the oft-injured Cory Trice Jr., or trading for Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh likes having size on the outside. Woolen brings plenty of it. Entering the final season of his rookie deal, his pending free agent status should make him relatively cheap to acquire.
Woolen wasn’t the only recommendation.
“Alontae Taylor can play outside, can play the slot,” said analyst Ryan Wilson. “He’s big, physical, in the last year of his deal. And having a really good season on a not-great Saints’ team.”
Taylor doesn’t offer Woolen’s size but holds his own at 6’1, 200 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms. His physicality sets him apart as a fierce hitter. He’s a threat in all areas, including as a blitzer, racking up four sacks last season. In 2025, he has just one sack, and with two career interceptions, his playmaking is limited. But he’s just 26 and can infuse much-needed speed into the secondary. Like Woolen, he’s on an expiring contract, and Pittsburgh could try to extend him after the season.
Adding a cornerback makes a measure of sense. But more likely, any changes in the secondary will come by continuing to increase Brandin Echols’ snaps at the expense of Darius Slay’s playing time. And in the offseason, drafting a cornerback with speed and playmaking.
Pittsburgh hasn’t invested much draft capital in cornerback; only Porter is a recent and notable early pick, and finding a young homegrown option may be the ticket instead of another trade.
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