Omar Cooking at the Trade Deadline

The Steelers had two glaring needs heading into the trade deadline - A Wide Receiver & an Edge Rusher,  and Omar Khan (Steelers' GM) addressed both on deadline day.  

WR Mike Williams - sent a 2025 5th round pick to the Jets (Steelers have another 5th from the Kevin Dotson Trade)

The Chargers picked Williams 17th in the 1st round of the 2017 draft, and the 6”4 wideout flashed real quality at times as a physical deep threat for the Chargers.  The 30 year old's best statistical seasons were 2019 and 2021 - topping 1000 yds both years, while he has 31 TDs over his 8 seasons.  However the second half of his career has been hampered by persistent injury problems that prevented him from making a mark during his brief spell with the Jets.

If he has fully recovered from his 2023 ACL tear,  can continue to stay healthy and quickly gets some chemistry with Wilson,  there's a real chance he could be a quality Number 2 to Pickens.  Expect to see him working the boundary and taking the top off opposing defenses.  

EDGE Preston Smith - sent a 2025 7th Rd pick to the Packers

Drafted by the then Redskins in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft, Smith moved to the Packers in 2019 as a free agent, and has been a mainstay of their defense.  In a 10 year career he has amassed 76 sacks, 244 QB hurries and been a disruptive presence versus the run.

This move makes a lot of sense,  his skill set is a perfect backup for Alex Highsmith, coming in to seal the edge versus the run and threaten the QB with power,  allowing Nick Herbig to return to his role as a situational pass rusher. The 32 year old has been remarkably durable - he hasn't missed a game in 9 years,  and the 6’5 Outside linebacker plays with a power and urgency that should suit the Steelers defense - let’s hope he still has that 4.74  40 speed he had at the combine and that the durability continues.