Rumors are beginning to gain traction across the league ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, and the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be at the forefront.
It’s no secret that the Steelers’ offense is lacking a true No. 2 receiver to complement DK Metcalf. They’re expected to be highly active in the trade market, and one insider even predicts they’ll swing a move for a productive pass-catcher.
ESPN Insider Predicts Landing Spot for Top WR Available
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jakobi Meyers is headlining the majority of the buzz being generated around the wide receiver position leading up to the deadline. Meyers, who turns 29 years old in November, could be on the move, assuming the Las Vegas Raiders can get what they want in exchange for his services.
Fowler mentions that it’ll take “a strong pick” for the Raiders to part ways with Meyers. A swap of Day 3 selections simply wouldn’t be good enough; they’d be more than happy to keep him aboard at that point.
“Pittsburgh is keeping tabs on this one but is prepared to be patient, too,” he wrote. “If I had to predict a destination right now, I’d say the Steelers.”
The Steelers are sitting with a 4-3 record after back-to-back losses, including Sunday night’s 10-point loss to the Green Bay Packers. Perhaps an offense led by Aaron Rodgers could use a little more juice and take some of the pressure off of Metcalf, the team’s leading receiver.
His 27 receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns not only lead the Steelers’ wideouts, but it isn’t even close. The next-closest player is Calvin Austin III, who has 167 yards on 14 receptions for two touchdowns.
Jakobi Meyers Has Been a Top Option Everywhere He’s Been
If there are knocks against Meyers, one of them certainly wouldn’t be his ability to produce.
After joining Tom Brady’s New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Meyers’ rookie season was really the only time he wasn’t a fixture in an offense. He led the team in receiving in 2020 despite a quarterback carousel of Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, and Brian Hoyer.
From the moment the Patriots spent a first-round pick on Mac Jones in 2021, Meyers blossomed into his primary target.
He was the Patriots’ leading receiver for each of the next two seasons, racking up 1,670 yards on 150 receptions with eight touchdowns. The Patriots opted not to re-sign him at the end of his rookie deal, so the Raiders acquired Meyers in free agency with a three-year, $33 million contract.
Meyers is currently in the final year of that deal, so the Steelers would likely have to negotiate a new contract with him; it’s unlikely they’ll trade coveted assets for a half-season rental.
Even while being overshadowed by Davante Adams in his first season with the Raiders, Meyers was still heavily involved. He totaled 831 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage before moving into the spotlight in 2024 after Adams was dealt to the New York Jets. With Adams’ departure, Meyers eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in a season for the first time in his career.
After spending second and fourth-round picks on Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton, respectively, the Raiders presumably want to incentivize a youth movement on offense. Their stable also includes Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick, at running back and Brock Bowers, last year’s No. 13 overall pick, at tight end.
Meyers has a PFSN WR Impact score of 75.4, tied with Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s also ahead of names such as Jameson Williams, Marquise Brown, and Adams.