The NFL trade deadline is a mere 10 days away. We've already seen some trades around the league, but the last two weeks have really become rumor season around the league. Whether that's the Dallas Cowboys checking in on Maxx Crosby and other big names, the rampant A.J. Brown will-they, won't-they conversation, or much more, the buzz has indeed been buzzing. But the NFL rumors are only about to pick up even more over the next week plus, and we're already seeing that.
It's far from a secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers would love to upgrade the offense around Aaron Rodgers, but we're getting some clarity on which wide receiver they may like. At the same time, though, Mike Tomlin's club might not be the most aggressive team in a pursuit of a wide receiver. The Indianapolis Colts at 6-1 won't be part of that arms race, but it does seem like they almost have to trade for one player in particular at this point given how numerous the connections have been.
This surely won't be the last time we delve into this, and rumors are always subject to change with how rapidly things evolve around the NFL trade deadline, but we have to catch you up on what's buzzing around the league.
Steelers trade rumor puts Jaylen Waddle, Calvin Ridley on the radar
In the Steelers' likely pursuit of a wide receiver, there are some pessimistic fans who have already resigned themselves to watching a DK Metcalf and Jakobi Meyers pairing after the Nov. 4 deadline. However, if insider Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda is to be believed, Pittsburgh might be aiming much higher than that, specifically poking around on Dolphins star receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Pauline does note that the Dolphins, at least for now, aren't inclined to move on from Waddle, but that such a feeling is also subject to change if things continue to deteriorate in Miami after a hapless start to the season. Most importantly, though, the Steelers appear to have Waddle near the top of their board at the trade deadline, along with Tennessee Titans wideout and disappointment Calvin Ridley.
First things first, though, let's consider the source. Pauline isn't a nobody in the insider game by any stretch, but this also isn't the same as Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter honing in on some buzz around the league. Because of that, it's difficult to gauge just how serious the Steelers are when it comes to any pursuit of Waddle before the trade deadline.
At the same time, it would make complete sense for Pittsburgh. Despite the eye test not always grading out as pretty, the Steelers are still atop the AFC North standings and are surely looking to maximize Rodgers in any way they can. The George Pickens trade looks like somewhat of a mistake at this point, but landing someone like Waddle would instantly change the math there.
Moreover, when you take what we've heard about the Steelers and piece it together, it feels as if they have a tiered wishlist at receiver when it comes to a trade. Waddle would be the dream option, Ridley would be the high-end backup plan, and Meyers comes in as the easiest to acquire target who'd still help. There are surely other calls to be made, but if nothing else, Pittsburgh's plan is coming a bit more into focus with all of this.
Colts connections to Riq Woolen trade piling up
Unlike the Steelers, the Colts aren't in need of much offensive help. That still feels strange to say considering the sentiment around that side of the ball in Indianapolis coming into the season when many fans were simply shocked that Daniel Jones beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job. That, however, has been the right decision tenfold. But the Colts defense, on the other hand, could use some reinforcements to help keep their stranglehold on the AFC South tight.
The secondary would be the most obvious area to upgrade, especially with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's reliance on his defensive backs, and whether informed or just educated guessing, that has led to multiple connections to the Colts and a trade for former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen in Seattle. Those connections include CBS Sports, NFLTradeRumors, and Pro Football Network, among others.
Woolen is among the players most likely to be moved at the trade deadline as his fit in Mike MacDonald's defense has come into question and the Seahawks aim to maximize his value. Meanwhile, the Colts and Anarumo's defense are a natural fit together. More importantly, though, it's a move that Indianapolis can easily afford.
Even if the Colts believed in Jones coming into the season, it's hard to believe that even they saw this team entering Week 8 with the top seed in the AFC. But what comes with that is a ton of flexibility in terms of both their draft capital and cap space. Indianapolis isn't strapped in either capacity and has the flexibility to make almost any move they'd like. And as the connections to Woolen keep coming, I'm getting closer to saying it'd be an upset or a surprise if the corner didn't end up with a horseshoe on his helmet when it's all said and done.
Broncos rumored to be most aggressive on WR trade market
While CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones was breaking down Pro Bowl changes, NFL officiating using AI, the future of the Tush Push, and many other P's and Q's from the fall owners meeting, he buried a fascinating nugget deep in his column about the Denver Broncos and their potential pursuits at the NFL trade deadline. Namely, he clarified that, while the Steelers will be aggressive in targeting a wide receiver deal, the Broncos could be even more likely to add another weapon for Bo Nix.
Jones did note that people around the league are unsure at just how aggressive Sean Payton's Broncos will be in trading for a receiver, but the buzz is clearly that they are looking for another proven option along with Courtland Sutton.
What's fascinating about that, however, is that Denver has recently enjoyed the emergence of young Troy Franklin in this offense, while Sutton has been the clear No. 1 and Marvin Mims Jr. continues to play a role as well. That's not to say there isn't obvious room to upgrade that group around Nix and a deep backfield, but it is to say that it's understandable why other NFL folks are having a difficult time discerning the level of aggressiveness the Broncos may have.
At the same time, though, trading for another weapon would amplify the pressure on Nix. Yes, he's at the helm of a 5-2 team, but the Broncos also have looked far from their perceived ceiling this season because of some of Nix's shortcomings as Payton has entrusted him to do more than he was asked to as a rookie last season. If Denver were to expend resources to get another receiver in the mix, that would leave Nix and Payton with little excuse if the offense isn't able to eventually take off een more so.