The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 4-2 record. The Jaguars are looking to cement their status as one of the better teams in the AFC, which will make for a good game.
The outcome of this one will also likely determine how aggressive the Steelers are ahead of the trade deadline. This is the last chance for players to showcase their talents to lock down a spot in the lineup without the front office looking to bring in a replacement.
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan has shown that he isn’t afraid to do some wheeling and dealing on the trade market. He pulled off a coup, acquiring what turned into the No. 32 overall pick from the Chicago Bears ahead of last year’s deadline in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool. He also moved up and down the 2023 NFL Draft board flawlessly.
What can we expect from him this year? It would not be surprising if the Steelers looked to bolster a few areas on the roster while selling a few depth pieces. Who could be on the move? Jarrett Bailey of SB Nation highlighted four deals Pittsburgh could make.
The first is unloading offensive line depth for draft capital. He suggested sending left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. The Giants desperately need offensive line help and the Steelers have some to offer.
2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones is ready for a larger role. That means Moore or Chukwuma Okorafor moves out of the lineup. In this scenario, the Steelers cash in and get a mid-round pick for their left tackle.
Another veteran that could be falling out of favor is cornerback Levi Wallace. Like Jones, rookie Joey Porter Jr. should see a larger role going forward. Wallace is a prime candidate to have his playing time cut back and a trade to the Buffalo Bills for a 2025 sixth-round pick was suggested.
With some extra late-round capital for the future, the Steelers can now go out and be buyers. Bringing back a familiar face in Terrell Edmunds is one move Bailey suggested. Edmunds signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason but they traded him to the Tennessee Titans as part of the Kevin Byard blockbuster.
A firesale looks on the horizon in Tennessee and Pittsburgh should take advantage. Bringing Edmunds back in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick will shore up the safety spot and the transition will be an easy one since he played the first five seasons of his career in the Steel City.
Last but not least, the Steelers could take a shot on upgrading the cornerback position. The Carolina Panthers aren’t close to contending, which could make a player such as Donte Jackson a trade candidate.
Pittsburgh could send fourth and seventh-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to Carolina in exchange for him. He would be a big upgrade on Wallace and Chandon Sullivan, giving the Steelers a nice quartet including Porter, Patrick Peterson and Cory Trice to rely on this season and in 2024.
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