5 NFL teams that should trade for Michael Thomas

Steelers

The Steelers came into the 2021 season with a loaded receiving corps featuring Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

As a collective, that group was supposed to help Ben Roethlisberger find his groove. It just hasn’t exactly worked out that way.

Smith-Schuster ended up picking up an injury that ended his season after five games. Meanwhile, Washington requested a trade because of his lack of playing time in the crowded unit. It was noteworthy then that Washington didn’t see a bump in participation after Smith-Schuster’s injury.

Nor have Johnson or Claypool set the world on fire as the Steelers’ No. 1 option. They’re good but there’s definitely room for a bigger presence to fill the WR1 role.

A trade for Michael Thomas could involve shipping Washington to New Orleans as a makeweight, getting rid of a disgruntled presence in the locker room. It would mean adding a pass-catcher who is a perennial 1,000-yard receiver and capable of leading a receiving corps. It would be a no-brainer.