The Steelers and Omar Khan have already been busy ahead of the trade deadline. In desperate need of help in the secondary, they made a deal yesterday to acquire S Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots
for a sixth and seventh-round pick swap.
Just a few weeks ago, the Steelers were sitting at 4-1, but after losing two straight games, they’ll need more help to maintain their lead in the AFC North.
Today, ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano shared the latest buzz surrounding the trade deadline.
Raiders’ WR Jakobi Meyers is a name that’s been circulated frequently, and Fowler had this to say regarding his current market:
“Several teams are believed to be in the receiver market, most notably the Steelers and possibly the Broncos and Bills. Meyers clearly wants out, and the Raiders are in a transitional phase. They just signed veteran Tyler Lockett, which could ease the loss of dealing Meyers. Pittsburgh is keeping tabs on this one but is prepared to be patient, too. If I had to predict a destination right now, I’d say the Steelers.“
Meyers is more of a possession wideout than a vertical threat, but has been extremely reliable throughout his career. So far this season, he has 29 catches for 329 yards.
If Meyers doesn’t work out, there’s a vertical threat in New Orleans who could be a perfect fit.
Fowler pegged the Steelers as one of “the most interesting teams” at the deadline and mentioned deep-threat Rashid Shaheed as a potential option.
“Will they settle for a moderate move such as last year’s acquisition of Mike Williams? Or will they locate more of a difference-maker and pay the necessary draft capital to secure the talent? If a deal for Meyers falls through, perhaps the Steelers lean on the Saints for, say, Rashid Shaheed, a speed option who would be costly but not outrageously so.”
Graziano questioned their speculative preference to add another playmaker:
“I am hearing a lot of the same chatter about the Steelers and wide receivers, but I’m not sure I get it. Is the offense the Steelers’ problem? They should be looking for help on defense beyond Dugger, because that’s the side of the ball that looks old, slow and threatens to doom their season.”
I agree with Graziano here. In an ideal world, the Steelers would acquire both a wideout and another defensive back – but I’m not sure Dugger is enough of a needle mover to improve their putrid defense down the stretch. Once touted as the best in the league, the defense hasn’t come close to living up to expectations.
They’ve allowed 68 points in back-to-back losses to the Bengals and Packers, and their pass defense ranks dead last in the NFL, behind the much-maligned Bengals and Cowboys. This Sunday, they’ll welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Acrisure Stadium, a team with a historically good offense through the first eight weeks.
