The trade deadline is coming up for the Steelers and every other NFL team on Tuesday. Pittsburgh has remained active at the deadline in years past, acquiring multiple players for down the stretch runs. While nothing is specific for this year’s deadline, most pundits have cornerback tabbed as the most needy spot for the team. The biggest crown jewel Pittsburgh could acquire? Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL.
The cost would be tremendous for Surtain, who is only 23 years old. According to reports, the team wants more than the Jalen Ramsey trade, which was two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. Yet, former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim believes the team should go out and acquire Surtain anyway.
“You look at a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn’t the sexiest team on paper but then you look at them and they’ve given up so many yards in the passing game,” Keim said. “So, their secondary has really struggled. To me, a guy like Patrick Surtain right there is a guy you would go after and really make a big run at because of the talent at that position. The talent at that position it’s so hard to find and that team is 4-2 and struggled to cover plays.”
There would be little surprise to see the Steelers make a move at cornerback, but the Surtain move seems too lofty. The Steelers may be 4-2, but they are not in a spot to trade the farm for a cornerback, and more than anything else, Surtain’s cost will keep them away from this trade. You can point out the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, but this would be a much bigger hit in terms of future draft capital than even that move. Surtain would help solve the issues, but the cost plus the likely unwillingness of Denver to move a player who should be a massive building block for them should prevent this deal from occurring, even if Omar Khan does check in to see the price.
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