The Pittsburgh Steelers are weighing trades for three wide receivers before the NFL Trade Deadline, hoping to solve their depth problems without sacrificing the draft capital they are guarding for 2027.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Steelers can land Kendrick Bourne, Dontayvion Wicks or Quentin Johnston for Day 3 draft picks alone, a modest price for a franchise still searching for its first playoff win in nearly a decade.
Why the Steelers Need Another Receiver
The signing of Marquez Valdes-Scantling has not settled the position. Some senior voices on the Steelers beat believe another move is coming, while others think Valdes-Scantling was the team's main swing at improving the offense.
If Pittsburgh stands pat, the offense risks falling short when the playoffs arrive. At the same time, the front office wants to preserve as many assets as possible for a 2027 NFL Draft class it views as a chance at another top player. That leaves general manager Omar Khan with only his late-round selections to spend.
Kendrick Bourne: The Steady Hand
Bourne, a 31-year-old Arizona Cardinals receiver, would cost a sixth-round pick. He has played 133 games and caught 351 passes in his career, and his 2026 production is solid: 22 receptions on 31 targets for 225 yards.
Those numbers sit close to what rookie Germie Bernard has posted, and Bernard has earned his own attention. ESPN reported that Bernard caught 11 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, calling the rookie potentially special.
The case against Bourne is simple. He is not the deep threat the Steelers lack. With Bernard and DK Metcalf already strong after the catch, Pittsburgh needs speed on the outside, and Bourne does not provide it.
Dontayvion Wicks: The Clear Bargain
Wicks, now with the Philadelphia Eagles after four years in Green Bay, would cost a fifth-round pick. The Eagles are in firesale mode, and Wicks has produced even as his team flounders: 19 receptions in six games for 284 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia gave up a fifth and a seventh for Wicks before the 2026 season but would likely accept any return now. He is speedy, plays mostly outside, can line up in the slot, and remains under contract through 2027 with a $4 million cap hit next year.
Sports Illustrated found no real argument against the deal, advising Khan to make it immediately with the cross-state rivals.
Quentin Johnston: The High-Risk Gamble
Johnston, the Los Angeles Chargers receiver and former 2023 first-round pick, would command a fourth and a seventh. He has posted multiple 700-yard campaigns and brings rare size at 6-foot-3 and nearly 220 pounds, a frame that matches Metcalf.
He is the best fit on the market if healthy. But he has battled injuries, and the Steelers already have two receivers on Injured Reserve and a third missing time. Adding another player with an injury history is a gamble that may not pay off.
What Happens Before the Deadline
The Steelers must decide quickly. The trade deadline offers a limited window, and the receiver room is not getting healthier on its own.
Other names circulate as well. Yahoo Sports listed Jalen Tolbert among realistic targets, noting that he played under Steelers coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas and now sits on an 0-5 Miami Dolphins team for $1.4 million, meaning Pittsburgh could land a player its coach already trusts for almost nothing.
For a franchise built on patience and discipline, the choice is between a modest, sensible addition and a riskier bet on talent. Khan's record suggests he prefers the former, but the standings may force his hand.
FAQ
Which receivers could the Steelers trade for?
Kendrick Bourne of the Cardinals, Dontayvion Wicks of the Eagles and Quentin Johnston of the Chargers, according to Sports Illustrated.
What would each receiver cost in draft picks?
Bourne would cost a sixth-round pick, Wicks a fifth, and Johnston a fourth and a seventh combined.
Why are the Steelers limited to Day 3 picks?
The team wants to keep its early assets for the 2027 NFL Draft, where it hopes to target another top player.