Steelers, Saints Trade Speculation Makes Too Much Sense

Perfect Trade Partners

The top two names that are realistic candidates to be moved both play in New Orleans. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are two highly coveted pass-catchers. The market and interest is only growing for both as the deadline nears.

Shaheed is a player that’s been on the Steelers’ radar for months. We brought his name up long ago on the All Steelers Talk podcast as a potential target for the team. The combination of his size (6’0) and speed make him a threat in the passing game as well as on special teams. He has plenty of experience returning kicks and punts, giving him even more opportunity to impact the game with the ball in his hands.

Olave has been a dream target for the Steelers for some time. The former top draft pick has immense talent, but injuries have held him back and sidelined him throughout the early parts of his career. Still, he’s a strong and impressive route-runner who can make contested catches with ease and possesses explosive athleticism. With New Orleans looking like they are entering another rebuilding phase, both receivers could net quality assets in return.

Weapons for Rodgers

Making things even more interesting is a recent report from Ian Rapoport that described the type of receiver the Steelers are seeking to acquire.

"The Steelers are, once again, in the market for a receiver, sources say," Rapoport wrote. "Their offense has thrived by featuring multiple tight ends, but the addition of a speed threat to pair with DK Metcalf would help Aaron Rodgers and the offense."

The speed element is key. That is also a quality both Olave and Shaheed possess. Shaheed is the faster of the two, but both certainly fit the description.

Either way, they both would provide an upgrade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s impressed with a slew of tight ends and one star wide receiver, but having another proven weapon would send this offense over the top and into legitimate contender status.