The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a familiar position ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Pittsburgh needs to add an adequate No. 2 wide receiver, something the team failed miserably at doing last season when the Steelers traded for Mike Williams, who was a total zero. Knowing that, the Steelers need to aim higher this year.
But Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette isn't expecting Pittsburgh to do anything major, which is the last thing fans want to hear.
“With the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, a lot of fans [think], ‘Oh they need a No. 2 receiver’ Well they’re not gonna go out and pay for a No. 2 receiver with any kind of big deadline-day trade,” Dulac said.
“If something would happen to DK Metcalf, yes, then they might make that trade…They rely so much on their tight ends. If they got a second receiver or another receiver, really where are they gonna play him in this offense?” he added.
That is not good news for the Steelers' hopes of landing the kind of impact wide receiver they need. Making matters worse, the asking prices for some of the top available receivers are reportedly high.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints are asking for a third-round pick for Rashid Shaheed, which is outrageous. And, if that's the asking price for Shaheed, one can only imagine what the Saints want for Chris Olave, who isn't expected to be available, anyway.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Las Vegas Raiders have "set a high price" for Jakobi Meyers and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler adds that the Raiders want a "strong pick" for Meyers and a "swap of Day 3 picks won't do at this stage."
When it comes to Jaylen Waddle, who is probably the most coveted receiver, the Miami Dolphins have softened their stance on trading him, but it would take an offer that "blows them away," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said.
As for Tennessee Titans wideout Calvin Ridley, ESPN's Turron Davenport reports that the Titans aren't shopping him, which suggests he won't be an option.
When you add it all up, it isn't looking good for the Steelers' chances of making a big splash for a wide receiver at the trade deadline, which means Pittsburgh may end up with Mike Williams 2.0.
NFL trade rumors