The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking for ways to improve the team. However, the organization has made it very clear that it is "in the pick business," so they may not be going for the big fish. It seems like General Manager Omar Khan would only really answer the phone if he could get a quality player without having to pay with more than a Day 3 pick. Right now, wide receiver is the hot topic around NFL circles in regard to Pittsburgh, but it could be looking for help at other positions as well.
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Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) holds onto a football and runs as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
With the short week coming up right after Week 6, it is highly unlikely that the Steelers will look to add another starting-caliber wide receiver to fill in for Calvin Austin III while he deals with injury. When he returns, there may not be a need to acquire another starter at that position until the 2026 offseason. Khan will most likely be looking at other positions to boost up depth.
The Steelers' starters on defensive line have been great, but they are severely lacking depth at the position. That could prompt them to send a very late pick over to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for journeyman defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has played nose tackle, defensive tackle, and defensive end throughout his career. His ability to play all over the place will make him an intriguing option for the front office.
In 2025 so far, Joseph-Day has 19 tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack, and one fumble recovery. He has never been much of a big-play guy, but he can help create havoc at the line of scrimmage. He has always been an under-the-radar type of player, and the Steelers can use that to their advantage, especially with a pass rush full of big names.
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Sebastian Joseph-Day on the field during a road game for the Tennessee Titans.
Even though the Steelers' cornerback room is finally healthy, recent trends show that that may not be the case for very long. If that were to unfortunately be the case, they could easily beef it up with former first-round pick Eric Stokes, who is having a revival year with the Las Vegas Raiders after dealing injuries and inconsistencies during the first four years of his career.
Stokes has started in all four games with the Raiders so far. In that time frame, he has allowed just a 40% completion rate when targeted while also racking up eight tackles and three passes defended. He has been a shutdown corner so far. If the Steelers can use his pending free agent status to acquire him for cheaper than deserved, they won't need to target cornerback in the 2026 draft after likely giving him a new contract after the season.
Steelers' Recent Moves Could Signal An Incoming Trade
The Steelers seem to be hyper-focused on linebacker, based on a lot of practice squad signings and releases that they have made. If they are truly looking for help at that position, they could bring in long-time veteran Demario Davis to add to the rotation and help mentor the younger players. It won't cost much to get him from the New Orleans Saints.
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DeMario Davis during a home game for the New Orleans Saints against the Atlanta Falcons.
Davis has 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, a pass defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through the first five games of the 2025 season. Even if Davis is slowing down somewhat, he can still be a factor for a team at age 37. Even with all the depth that the Steelers have at linebacker, they know that there is no such thing as too much. Every able body can help, especially if they've been there and done that.
What do you think about the Steelers' trade options that don't involve wide receiver? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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