Outside the box, a different WR target.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I just read this WR idea, someone off the board: Chris Olave.

The Saints are expected to be about $82M over the cap going into next season. Looking at some of their top cap hits, there will still be a lot of dead money attached - so it's not as easy as maybe cutting a couple of high priced guys other than Kamara ($18M savings). It will be a bloodbath over there.

Trading Olave saves about $4.1M against the cap next year, and will cost the Steelers that much in 2025, and the fifth year option if they choose in 2026. Very friendly 2 1/2 years for the Steelers. Olave went over 1,000 yards each of his first two years, but this year has 3 games in the 80s, and 3 games with a combined 26 yards, and only one TD. The last of those games was week 6 when he exited early with a concussion.

He missed last week as it was a Thursday night game. Going into this weekend, he is practising and was limited Wednesday, full participant Thursday. If traded before this week, that gives him an extra two weeks before playing in a game again with the Steelers' bye week. No reason to believe he is not fully recovered. I'd say that given the options at receiver, he might be the best player, and at 24 years old is also reasonably priced the next two years.

As far as fit, he is definitely a 1A, not a #2 receiver for the Steelers, it gives them two prime threats at WR. This helps open up the field for a vet like Wilson, or for those who don't believe that Tomlin wants to throw the ball, opens up the running game as the D will have to respect the pass. It is also insurance through the 2026 season in case the Steelers move on from Pickens, but I believe that with a more explosive offense, and more Ws, Pickens is not the problem that many think he will be.

Now it comes down to cost. Olave does not come cheap, but you pay for quality. The Steelers might be looking at a Minkah type deal, but I'll go with a second rounder and Calvin Austin, although there might have to be a deal that includes Roman Wilson instead and I'd be open to that. The Saints get a replacement (a downgrade for sure, but when in cap hell that's what you get) at a 2025 cap hit of $1.1M for Austin and cheaper for Wilson.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

No trading for a WR until we find out what we have with Roman Wilson in an NFL game or two.

[Chucktownsteeler]

No trading for a WR until we find out what we have with Roman Wilson in an NFL game or two.

We won't know that anytime soon.

[Captain Lemming]

No trading for a WR until we find out what we have with Roman Wilson in an NFL game or two.

On how many threads do I need to follow you around to explain to you why Roman is not the answer?

Heck he projected AS A SLOT before injury. MIGHT be capable of being number two in the best of circumstances.

He is a 4th round pick, who was mostly a college slot, with NO CAMP, who we cannot evaluate because he is constantly injured, and is supposed to come in be our savior so we can turn our nose up to a Kupp or Olave?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

No trading for a WR until we find out what we have with Roman Wilson in an NFL game or two.

Given how things are going with Wilson, that isn't happening prior to the deadline which means you are ruling out adding a receiver this year. Even if Wilson is ready to add to the team, a receiver like Olave lets Wilson contribute at his natural position, the slot, which just gives the team one more option - unless he is shipped as part of a deal for a receiver.

[Northern_Blitz]

I just read this WR idea, someone off the board: Chris Olave.

The Saints are expected to be about $82M over the cap going into next season. Looking at some of their top cap hits, there will still be a lot of dead money attached - so it's not as easy as maybe cutting a couple of high priced guys other than Kamara ($18M savings). It will be a bloodbath over there.

Trading Olave saves about $4.1M against the cap next year, and will cost the Steelers that much in 2025, and the fifth year option if they choose in 2026. Very friendly 2 1/2 years for the Steelers. Olave went over 1,000 yards each of his first two years, but this year has 3 games in the 80s, and 3 games with a combined 26 yards, and only one TD. The last of those games was week 6 when he exited early with a concussion.

He missed last week as it was a Thursday night game. Going into this weekend, he is practising and was limited Wednesday, full participant Thursday. If traded before this week, that gives him an extra two weeks before playing in a game again with the Steelers' bye week. No reason to believe he is not fully recovered. I'd say that given the options at receiver, he might be the best player, and at 24 years old is also reasonably priced the next two years.

As far as fit, he is definitely a 1A, not a #2 receiver for the Steelers, it gives them two prime threats at WR. This helps open up the field for a vet like Wilson, or for those who don't believe that Tomlin wants to throw the ball, opens up the running game as the D will have to respect the pass. It is also insurance through the 2026 season in case the Steelers move on from Pickens, but I believe that with a more explosive offense, and more Ws, Pickens is not the problem that many think he will be.

Now it comes down to cost. Olave does not come cheap, but you pay for quality. The Steelers might be looking at a Minkah type deal, but I'll go with a second rounder and Calvin Austin, although there might have to be a deal that includes Roman Wilson instead and I'd be open to that. The Saints get a replacement (a downgrade for sure, but when in cap hell that's what you get) at a 2025 cap hit of $1.1M for Austin and cheaper for Wilson.

Given that we aren't really a "win now" team, this is the kind of trade I'd rather make.

Something that has a chance to pay off over the medium term, not just for the next 10 years.

Especially if we were willing to give up something like a day 2 pick.

[WindyCitySteel]

Would love Olave but again, you'd probably have to jettison Pickens after the season, he doesn't react well when his target share drops.

He's a faster, better version of DJ without the attitude problems.

[Northern_Blitz]

Would love Olave but again, you'd probably have to jettison Pickens after the season, he doesn't react well when his target share drops.

He's a faster, better version of DJ without the attitude problems.

To be fair, we have no idea how Pickens would react in a situation where there is a WR2 and an average-ish NFL QB (unless we count the games with Mason, which included a game where he got no targets and didn't flip out).

[Captain Lemming]

Would love Olave but again, you'd probably have to jettison Pickens after the season, he doesn't react well when his target share drops.

He's a faster, better version of DJ without the attitude problems.

I’d take that in a heartbeat over trusting Pickens not to lose his mind during a second contract.

We have no options now but I’d love the chance to have both through next season and have Olave to extend drafting Pickens replacement in the next draft, with Roman in the slot.

If we had to trade Pickens in the offseason as you suggest I’d prefer Olave over Pickens so I’d still make
the move.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

On how many threads do I need to follow you around to explain to you why Roman is not the answer?

Heck he projected AS A SLOT before injury. MIGHT be capable of being number two in the best of circumstances.

He is a 4th round pick, who was mostly a college slot, with NO CAMP, who we cannot evaluate because he is constantly injured, and is supposed to come in be our savior so we can turn our nose up to a Kupp or Olave?

Lemming you are wrong. First off Wilson was a third round pick. Kupp and Olave will cost the Steelers a lot of cap space and draft capital.

Another aggravated injury? Throw our trainer under the bus? Hammy's and Calves don't heal well in the Burgh. Tomlin can't make up his mind whether player " X' can play, until then there is always the injury report to get him of the hook which I say was bogus...on both Wilson's. Not to metion him limiting snaps on Pickens two games before.

I do think we are a top ten NFL teams with our defese and Wilson playing QB. We could use a cheap role player at WR. But he can't jump on a moving train ...

[Lonbull]

If Chris Olave is healthy coming into our Bye Week - I'm certainly interested in making a trade.

The Saints have to know they're likely out of it this season, and with that Cap Situation could be looking at a rebuild next season -- would be very interested in what the price tag would be for Olave.

He and Justin Fields played together in Ohio State, which can only help.

As far as attitude goes - it seems to me that Olave just wants to have more opportunity and feels overlooked -- could be a problem (See Diontae Johnson) -- but Olave could also be right....and we now have a QB that can get him the ball.

As far as Pickens goes -- another great WR only opens things up for him....and if he's here more for George Pickens than for winning games -- then you have to choose, do you want Highlight reels or Playoff wins.

L.B.

[Prowler]

Olave is a player I liked a lot coming out of college. To me he's a perfect fit for Russell Wilson as a stretch the field type of receiver. It will help the offense and in particular the running game to have two deep threats out there at the same time.

Not sure how much we'd have to give up for his services but if it's a reasonable amount of assets I'm all for it. If anyone can pull it off it is the Khanman.

[hawaiiansteel]

I have yet to hear of any rumor or indication that the Saints are interested in trading Chris Olave.