Steelers Are In Position To Make Interesting Trade For 2023 First Rounder To Strengthen Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off an upset victory at home on Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts came into the Steel City riding high, boasting one of the most complete offenses and teams in the NFL. The Steelers were three-point home underdogs, but the game quickly started going Pittsburgh’s way. The defense forced six takeaways from the Colts’ offense, and the Steelers held on to win 27-20, sending a statement across the league.

Now, with the trade deadline hitting on November 4th, all eyes are on contenders to see what moves they might make at the last minute as they try to improve their rosters for the crucial stretch of the 2025 season. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has made it clear through his history of bold moves that he will always bang the phones if he sees a chance to strengthen the roster. With the Steelers in such a unique spot this season with Aaron Rodgers only in town for 2025, timing is critical.

The focus has largely been on acquiring another weapon for Rodgers, but on Monday, Steelers insider Brian Batko revealed another potential target. He mentioned former 2023 first-round pick and New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks as a possible trade option in his article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With the Steelers showing defensive dominance on Sunday and the trade deadline approaching, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see if Khan can pull off another impactful move before the critical stretch of the season.

"One of the more intriguing ideas is to offer a change of scenery for Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, a 2023 first-round pick who visited the Steelers before that draft and has been benched at times this year for a 2-7 team," Batko said on Monday. 

Like Batko mentioned, Banks was a player the Steelers had interest in back during the 2023 NFL Draft when he was coming out of Maryland. Banks is now in a unique situation with the Giants, where he has lost his footing on the depth chart and the team is not competitive. 

That means they could be sellers, and Banks could become an option for Pittsburgh. Another intriguing idea from Batko is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, but because the Seahawks are now contenders, acquiring him could be trickier.

"Riq Woolen, the speedy 6-4 cornerback who has reportedly fallen out of favor in Seattle, would be fun but might be needed for a Seahawks team that’s put itself in contender territory," Batko said.

There are all sorts of directions that Khan and the Steelers front office can go. With the Steelers sitting at 5-3 and in first place in the AFC North, the time is now to leave no stone unturned and figure out how to maximize the 2025 season with Rodgers. Khan could try and add a wide receiver to this roster but it also sounds like a defensive trade is also on the table.

Steelers Are In A Rare Spot

The Steelers are in a rare position this season where a smart move could have an immediate impact. With a veteran quarterback like Rodgers leading the offense, even one addition on either side of the ball could shift momentum in the critical final stretch. The front office has shown a willingness to be aggressive in the past, and with the trade deadline looming, they have a window to make a statement.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Khan can identify the right pieces without sacrificing future flexibility. Whether it’s shoring up the secondary with a cornerback like Banks or adding another weapon for Rodgers, the next few days could define how competitive Pittsburgh is in the AFC this year.

What trades do you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers make before the trade deadline hits on November 4th? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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