In the blink of an eye, general manager Omar Khan made several upgrades to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, giving answers at positions of need ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline at 4 p.m.
The Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams in a trade from the Jets and signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers to acquire edge Preston Smith in a surprise transfer. Coming into this day, the Steelers had 52 players on their 53-man roster, so the acquisitions of Williams and Smith necessitated a corresponding move.
They ended up removing tight end Rodney Williams from the 53-man roster. The Steelers also waived LB Craig Young and WR Andy Isabella from the practice squad.
It’s hard to see Rodney Williams going to the Steelers, with the possibility of him returning to the practice squad if he clears waivers, but the additions of Mike Williams and Smith are welcome additions for the Steelers. It will be a very difficult second half. season.
Williams addresses depth and talent concerns at the receiver position. Despite his struggles this season in New York, Williams remains a solid receiver and continues to make plays in contested catches. Williams is 5-for-7 in catch-catch situations this season. He has 94 hits out of 171 in his career and has a content catch rate of 55%.
He is a threat downfield and doesn’t create much separation, but can still win through contact and make plays above the rim. That’s what the Steelers need under coach Arthur Smith and against George Pickens’ offensive line. Former NFL GM Rick Spielman said the Williams trade was “perfect.” For the Steelers.
As for Smith, the acquisition of the veteran defender from EDGE gives the Steelers a big boost following TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Herbig has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, but the second-year player is optimistic he can return in Week 10 against the Commanders.
The Steelers’ depth has been tested this season at outside linebacker. DeMarvin Leal lost the season with a neck injury, Marcus Golden retired in training camp, and Jeremiah Moon, the No. 3 OLB in Herbig’s absence, started the season on IR and returned in Week 5 against the Cowboys. .
Smith, a 2025 seventh-round pick, was in his sixth season with the Packers after spending the first four seasons of his career in Washington.
He has 68.5 career sacks, but his playing time has decreased this season. He played just 54% of the snaps on Green Bay’s defense this season, recording 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Smith is durable as he has only missed one game due to injury in his career, appearing in 155 games and starting 138.
This season, Pro Football Focus has an overall grade of 61.8.ranked 95th out of 192 eligible EDGE rushers.
