Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on an equipment trunk during the game against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Blockbuster Saints-Steelers Mock Trade Sends Speedy WR To Pittsburgh

Originally posted on New Orleans Saints on SI
By Zach Pressnell | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The New Orleans Saints have a chance to be one of the most influential teams at the trade deadline this season.

They have a lot of potential trade candidates on their roster including names like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave. Kamara recently shut down trade rumors by seemingly threatening retirement, but the Saints still have other trade pieces on their roster this year.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently put together a mock trade that would send star wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

Saints WR Rashid Shaheed would fit perfectly with the Steelers

"The Steelers need another wideout across from DK Metcalf. Calvin Austin III averaged a middling 1.5 yards per route run this season before suffering a shoulder injury," Barnwell wrote. "Roman Wilson, the team's third-round pick in the 2024 draft, has two catches in six games across his first two pro campaigns. Ben Skowronek is an ideal fourth or fifth wideout given his work as a blocker and on special teams, but he has played 45 offensive snaps in five games.

"Though Metcalf had an 80-yard touchdown on a long catch-and-run against the Vikings, the Steelers could use a burner who will threaten teams downfield, especially when they line up in their multi-TE sets and sell the run to set up play-action. Austin ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine, but he has just three catches on passes thrown 30 or more yards downfield in his first two-plus seasons as a pro."

The Steelers desperately need another wide receiver on their roster. DK Metcalf has been very good, but they don't have a No. 2 option. Adding Shaheed would give the Steelers a solid No. 2 who can stretch the field like Metcalf. This trade would make plenty of sense, as the Steelers are only swapping picks to land the playmaker.

For the Saints, they're likely going to cut ties with Shaheed at the end of the season either way, so trading him for some draft capital would make sense. He might seem more valuable than this deal suggests, but the Saints would struggle to find a better deal.

More NFL: Saints-Broncos Mock Trade Reunites Sean Payton With Fan Favorite Star

This article first appeared on New Orleans Saints on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: