The trade deadline is about two weeks away, and since the Steelers are 3-2 and in the thick of the AFC North, a trade is always possible to boost the team. For example, the team could use help in their secondary, but one pundit believes they could add to the wide receiver room.
The New York Jets do not seem keen on playing Mecole Hardman much, and trade rumors have swirled around the speedy receiver over the last few weeks. Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey believes that Hardman could land in Pittsburgh as a compliment to the rest of the receiver room with Diontae Johnson back.
“Even if the Steelers don’t end up competing for a playoff spot, this season will be successful if they can come away with clarity at the quarterback spot,” Tansey wrote. “They need to find out if Kenny Pickett is worth the continued investment or if they need to make a move next season. Part of that is giving the quarterback what he needs to succeed. Trading for Mecole Hardman would give Pickett a speedster who can stretch the field across from George Pickens. Diontae Johnson’s potential return in Week 7 gives him a slot specialist who can work underneath and intermediate routes.”
Hardman has speed that could work with Calvin Austin’s explosiveness to create a dynamic horizontal offense. Wide receiver might not be the first position the Steelers would look to add to, as safety or cornerback jump out as far likelier to me. Pittsburgh still has a lot of questions to answer across their team, and while wide receiver depth is not sterling, the Steelers adding one seems unlikely, no matter how much the offense is struggling.
Hardman is not a highly productive player, but if Pittsburgh wanted to embrace the full-on speed effect with the offense, they could add him to the mold over Gunner Olszewski. Johnson and George Pickens will play a significant amount, no matter what. So, Hardman would slide into that complementary role along with Allen Robinson II and Austin to round out the rest of the receiving corps. It would likely not cost much to acquire Hardman at this stage.
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