In addition to the avalanche of big receiver trades the NFL has already seen in recent weeks, there was one more in the works.
The Steelers were trying to get an offer for Christian Kirk, and league resources told ESPN that there was a cheap prospect the Jaguars big receiver was getting to end up in Pittsburgh until he lost his collarbone. last Sunday.
Pittsburgh’s hope of improving its receiving corps was derailed, at least briefly. But the Steelers aren’t giving up, a league source told ESPN.
The Steelers had been yelling and checking every available big receiver before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, including the Jets’ Mike Williams and the Panthers’ Adam Thielen, according to league resources.
The Steelers will continue to fight to strengthen themselves until the deadline, but they are far from the only team looking for a better position for the second part of the season.
• The Lions continue to criticize those pushing for moves, and have spoken to the Browns about former Professional Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith, who has already played in the NFC North for both the Packers and Vikings, according to the resources.
• The Falcons have even been competitive about expediting moves and are expected to make a potential offer for Giants running back Azeez Ojulari, according to sources.
The unexpected Cardinals, locked up for the first field of play in the NFC West before Sunday, are also exploring shopping for motion running backs like Ojulari.
• Any other running back who could be available is Calais Campbell, who the Dolphins have received inquiries about, according to league resources.
If the Dolphins don’t win Sunday in Buffalo, they could be more likely to trade Campbell to a contending group, according to sources.
• The Saints have received complaints about Marshon Lattimore, according to league resources. One of the most likely obstacles to an offer is Lattimore’s physical condition, sources said.
The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback won’t play Sunday against the Panthers, but he hasn’t canceled teams calling about him, including the two-time defending champion Chiefs.
• The Chiefs have already been traded for DeAndre Hopkins and Joshua Uche, but some sources around the league believe that, whether it’s Lattimore or another player, Kansas Town could push for alternate trips.
The Chiefs host the Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football” and are ready to go temporarily with the commercial deadline coming hours after their game.
• One group that would continue to buy and sell players is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have already traded defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seahawks and offense Cam Robinson to the Vikings, in addition to applying for a potential deal for Kirk.
The Jaguars will continue to get shout-outs and slick deals, and other players who could just draw attention include five-time Pro-Bowl savior Brandon Scherff.
• The big deal on this date was the Carolina Panthers sending big receiver Diontae Johnson to the Ravens. Johnson will make his Baltimore debut on Sunday against the Broncos, but it turns out he already feels at home with fellow Ravens big receiver Nelson Agholor.
Both Agholor and Johnson are from Tampa, Florida, and have been similar for years. Although they are three years apart in generation — Agholor is 31 and Johnson is 28 — the receivers were allowed to master all options during their formative years, sports during their junior years and attended schools in other parts of the city.
Since then, they have remained similar and teach together during the offseason. Johnson was later traded to Baltimore on this date, even staying in Agholor’s slot.
Now the Ravens, Chiefs, Falcons, Cardinals and others will look to add more players until Tuesday’s deadline. What happens in Sunday’s games could also negatively affect who buys and who sells, but there is expected to be a final flurry of moves before the time limit.
