Steelers Should Trade For Josh Downs to Bolster Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently on a bye week, giving the team extra time and rest for the second half of the season.

Pittsburgh will enter the second half with a record of 6-2, sitting in first place in the AFC North. The Steelers have used strong performances from both sides of the ball to help them win games this year, mixed with timely plays from star players.

But one area of concern for this team does come from the offense, with the team dealing with multiple injuries to its wide receiving core. Pittsburgh has also seen plenty of drops coming from players this year, leading to some inconsistency on offense.

With the Steelers not playing a game this week, the front office can fully evaluate whether this team needs any upgrades. And with the NFL trade deadline coming next week, Pittsburgh could be in line to make some moves.

One area of the team that the Steelers have been rumored to be looking into is at wide receiver, with the organization wanting to add. Pittsburgh has been looking around the league for help, and there are a few names that name sense.

But the one that the Steelers should be going after is wide receiver Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts. Downs requested a trade from the Colts prior to the trade deadline, sparking all sorts of rumors.

Indianapolis is currently 2-6 on the year, with the team undergoing a fire sale of sorts across the roster. Many people around the league expect Downs to be one of the next players traded, and the Steelers should be trying to take advantage.

For the season, Downs has caught 30 passes for 330 yards and one touchdown in a shaky Colts offense. But if Downs were to be put into the Steelers' attack, his numbers could explode, giving this team another true weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to use.

Downs is very good at getting separation, and Rodgers could use this to his advantage to generate scoring chances. Pairing Downs with D.K. Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Michael Pittman Jr. and others, once the Steelers get healthy, could make this an explosive offensive attack.

Pittsburgh may need to send out some decent draft capital to get the Colts to part with Downs, but for a chance to win a title, it could be worth it. Rodgers will be retiring at the end of the season, and this is the opportunity for the Steelers to put themselves into the upper echelon of the AFC teams.