3 Potential Steelers Trade Targets To Keep An Extremely Close Eye On During The Bye Week

The Pittsburgh Steelers can be labeled as big winners of the 2022 trade deadline. Omar Khan made the decision to deal distracting wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second-round pick. Chicago ended up losing out the rest of the way and had the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This meant that Pittsburgh would have the 32nd overall selection after the Miami Dolphins had to forfeit their first-round pick. Khan and co. then used that to draft cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., who was one of the heroes in the team's Week 5 win against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The 2023 trade deadline will take place on Halloween and while there are still a few weeks left to determine if any needs are pressing for the Steelers, a Week 6 bye will allow the front office and fans alike to pay close attention to other players from around the league. Despite the potential emergence of Porter Jr., the secondary has struggled to begin the year. On top of that, there are holes in other areas that could be filled come October 31st. 

The next couple of weeks in the NFL will help teams decide if they want to be buyers or sellers come the deadline. There are several organizations that will need to make the tough decision of moving on from consistent players if there is no hope for this year, and potentially even, the 2024 season. The first order of business for Pittsburgh could very well be to strengthen the secondary as both Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson have underperformed. 

1.) Patrick Surtain II - Cornerback - Denver Broncos

It would be wonderful for the Steelers to go after a former All-Pro cornerback who is just 23 years of age. Surtain II is in his third professional season and was a former first-round selection by Denver in 2021. He could be under team control through 2025 if his fifth-year option is picked up in the 2024 offseason. Pairing Surtain II with Porter Jr. could be a great recipe for success moving forward.

Wallace is in the final year of his contract and Peterson will likely retire after he plays out his through 2024. While going after Surtain II might require giving up significant draft capital, it would be worth it for Pittsburgh if their top two cornerbacks are solidified going forward. This would not just be a move to bolster the group in 2023, but well beyond that.

2.) Trent Brown - Offensive Tackle - New England Patriots

Steelers first-round draft pick in 2023, Broderick Jones, got his first career start against the Ravens and was phenomenal. He allowed just one pressure on 37 pass blocking attempts. It appears as if he will be the starter on the left side from here on out. The right side, however, is a bit of a mystery. Pittsburgh paid Chukwuma Okorafor to be the guy, but he has struggled in 2023 and is a likely cap casualty in 2024.

Dan Moore Jr. has the capability to swing over to the right side as long as he's healthy, but if Pittsburgh struggles to protect Kenny Pickett in October, an external option may be more of a reliable protector. Trent Brown has tons of experience and has a Super Bowl win and Pro Bowl selection to his resume. The New England Patriots might be big-time sellers if they continue to lose games. Brown would also serve as a perfect mentor for Jones the rest of the way in 2023.

3.) Derrick Brown - Defensive Tackle - Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are the NFL's only winless team entering Week 6. It hasn't been reported anywhere that defensive lineman, Derrick Brown will be traded, but he is definitely someone to keep an eye on. A former first-round selection in 2020, Brown had his fifth-year option picked up by Carolina for 2024. He has been extremely reliable with 54 games played since being drafted.

The Steelers will get Cameron Heyward back at some point in the 2023 season, but the rushing defense has been subpar up to this point. Brown is a big-bodied run-stuffer who could give a huge boost to the unit with or without Heyward in the lineup. The Panthers may decide to hold onto him and reward him with a massive contract extension in 2024, but if the rebuild is a full go in Carolina, Pittsburgh might be the perfect new home for Brown.

The Steelers Should Be Active Come The Halloween Trade Deadline

Khan has shown his aggressive side since taking over the reins in 2022. There are clear needs on the current Steelers roster and a big splash might have the chance to take the franchise to contender status in 2023. The bye week will be a great time to evaluate options and as October 31st comes closer, some big names to keep an eye on might be on Pittsburgh's radar.

Do you think the Steelers will be aggressive at the 2023 trade deadline? Let us know in the comments below!

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