It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market for a wide receiver, and that is not only based on the team’s clear need for an adequate No. 2 and more depth behind DK Metcalf.
Reports have suggested Pittsburgh is making calls for a wide receiver addition, with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and ESPN’s Adam Schefter both sharing that rumor.
One team general manager Omar Khan should have his eye on is the New Orleans Saints, who could make wide receiver Rashid Shaheed available at the deadline.
“The Saints are attempting to re-sign Olave to a contract extension, and sources believe New Orleans would like to receive a third-round draft pick in a trade involving Shaheed,” Schefter reported on Saturday.
With the Steelers’ need at wide receiver, and with the Saints seemingly open to dealing Shaheed, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts Pittsburgh will ultimately strike a deal with the Saints for the speedy wideout.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, though, could use a field-stretching wideout. They’ve been “making calls” about receivers, according to Russini.
Prediction: Steelers make a trade for Shaheed at the deadline.
The Steelers would almost certainly prefer to add Chris Olave, who is the better player and a potential long-term option given his contract runs through 2026. However, all indications are the Saints will hold on to Olave.
Shaheed would not be a bad consolation prize, though. Shaheed can make plays all over the field but he specializes as a deep threat who can take the top off a defense. He would immediately be Pittsburgh’s second-best wideout upon arrival.
Despite very shaky quarterback play, Shaheed has tallied 439 yards and two scores in eight games. That yardage output would rank second on the Steelers behind Metcalf’s 461 yards.
There are a few potential problems with this trade, though.
The first is the fact that Shaheed suffered an injury that forced his early exit in Week 8, so Pittsburgh has to make sure he’s actually healthy first.
The other problem is the Saints’ reported price point. Based on his past production, Shaheed, who has never tallied more than 719 yards in a season, is not close to being worth a third-round pick, which is New Orleans’ reported asking price.
Instead, Shaheed should fetch a Day 3 pick, and more specifically, probably a fifth-rounder.
Of course, the Saints are asking for the highest price possible right now, but that should change as the deadline approaches, assuming the Saints are realistically considering trading the veteran receiver.
If the Steelers can nab Shaheed for a fifth-rounder, Khan should pull the trigger.
NFL trade rumors
