With the NFL’s trade deadline rapidly approaching, rumors are circulating around the league as to which teams may be buyers and which may be sellers on the trade market.
Last week that option was Davante Adams, who the Las Vegas Raiders permitted to see a trade. Despite some buzz that the Steelers had interest in Adams, he chose instead to rejoin his former Green Bay Packer teammate Aaron Rodgers in New York. Similarly, the Cleveland Browns quickly shopped and traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. (In this case, Cleveland was never going to trade Cooper to an in-division opponent, such as the Steelers, but he was still another name available.)
As another week in the NFL begins, and the November 5th trade deadline looms closer, more names continue to be thrown out as potential targets for GM Omar Khan. Here are four receivers that Khan should consider adding to the Steelers roster. Keep in mind that most of these
Cooper Kupp
The hottest name in this week’s rumor-filled news is Kupp, who is reportedly “available” for trade from the Los Angeles Rams.
Kupp, like most of the receivers who will be named on this list, is north of 30 years old and potentially on the backside of his career. The 31-year-old receiver is very accomplished, having won a Super Bowl in his best season back in 2021. He’s far removed from those 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, having failed to play a full season since.
Yet, Kupp could be the right fit for a Steelers team looking for an additional option aside the young and developing George Pickens. Kupp’s contract with the Rams has a base salary of $12.5 million and $14.8 million over the next two seasons, along with roster bonuses that would bump his potential cap hit out to $20 million per year. That’s a far cry for the league’s wild skew towards $30 million per season receivers, and it’s rumored the Rams would be willing to take on some of the financial burden as part of the swap – sweetening the deal.
Kupp would provide starting QB Russell Wilson with a proven talent who is an excellent route runner who can move the chains. The risk, of course, is Kupp’s health. He has only appeared in two games this season and missed eight games in 2022 and another five in 2023. However, Kupp’s guaranteed money is only $5 million next season. If he doesn’t pan out, he could be easily released without a large financial impact on the Steelers salary cap.
What Kupp brings, when healthy, is 134 catches for 1,549 yards and 11 touchdowns over the previous two seasons (21 games). By comparison, Diontae Johnson had 137 catches for 1,599 yards and 5 touchdowns over the previous two seasons (30 games).
The Rams could also afford to let Kupp go, relieving them of cap space with a stable of other receivers including Puca Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, and Tutu Atwell.
Kupp would be a significant upgrade who’s contract is beyond this season and leaves the Steelers with wiggle room to sign other players – provided he can remain on the field.
D.K. Metcalf
While it’s unlikely the 4-3 Seattle Seahawks, who are in first place in their division, will give up one of their main weapons, Metcalf’s name has been circulating since this summer as well.
In a stable of receivers that includes Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 26 year old Metcalf is the youngest receiver with the highest upside in this article. Upside may seem out of place to say, but he has the longest career span ahead of him when receivers start to fade away in their early 30’s. Metcalf easily has three or four good years still ahead of him in the NFL and would be a longer-term solution than those listed throughout this column.
Metcalf is a steady option, having only missed one game in his NFL career to date. He has stacked back-to-back thousand-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, but is only under contract for another season beyond 2024 with a base salary around $18 million.
It’s not a huge savings versus losing a great player in his prime, so if the Seahawks were to deal D.K., he could likely cost a high round draft pick versus acquiring Cooper Kupp for a lower pick. Both are different styles receivers, and there’s no doubt Metcalf would instantly boost the Steelers receiver room.
Courtland Sutton
The Denver Broncos are another team with a strong corps of receivers aside from Sutton, which would allow them to deal their star player and carry forward without much impact to their lineup.
The Broncos are currently playing two 2024 picks, Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele, while also incorporating 2023 second rounder Marvin Mims into their offense. This left Sutton without a target, much less a catch, on Thursday Night Football last week.
Teammate Tim Patrick, who is currently injured, represents another receiver the team could turn to, leaving Sutton as a potential odd man out who could be on the trade block. Sutton’s contract was reworked this offseason with void years prorating his signing bonus, making his base salary $13.5 million with a $500,000 per-game roster bonus in 2025. The 29 year old played with Russell Wilson over the last two seasons in Denver.
Over those last two seasons, Sutton amassed 123 passes receptions for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns. While he’s on the backside of his career, he too is an inexpensive option towards the salary cap who could become available if the Broncos are looking for trade capital in return.
Mike Williams
One of the more fun options to discuss is Williams, who was already being teased by Steelers fans during Sunday night’s game against the Jets. Those fans were saying “see you next week” as Williams left the field in a 37-15 defeat to the Steelers.
Williams’ name is linked to Pittsburgh for a number of reasons, including talks with Omar Khan during the free agency period. Williams signed with the Jets instead, but is now the odd man out after the Davante Adams trade, which leaves Williams as the fourth option behind Adams, Garrett Wilson, and Allen Lazard.
Williams’ $5 million base salary would be prorated over the remaining games on this year’s schedule, with the 30 year old’s contract expiring after this season and the Jets taking on the remainder of his signing bonus via void years.
He would be the cheapest option, but also one of the less reliable players too, having missed four games in 2022 and all but three games last season while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers. His numbers have taken a hit over the years due to those injuries, and he’s never had a major breakout season like Kupp, but Williams’s 6’4″ frame, if it can hold up, would provide a weapon the Steelers do not currently have aside from Pickens.
