Chris Olave's Price Tag Revealed: Steelers Could Land Him for a Day 3 Pick

It does not sound like the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market to give up draft picks for players, but General Manager Omar Khan has previously spoken about how he will always look for ways to make the team better. If there was a way for him to get a high-end player that could be helpful in the short and long-term future for cheap, what would stop him from pulling the trigger? Finding a player like that is few and far between, but that player may be on the trade block right now.

During his weekly Q&A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was recently asked about what it would take to trade for New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave. He acknowledged the wideout's red flags, but if his estimation is correct, Khan may need to pick up the phone.

"I would think a mid-round pick, but maybe just a late-round pick because he does have injury issues," Fittipaldo said. "He's caught a lot of passes this year (33), but not for a lot of yards and he only has one TD. I'm just guessing, but maybe a fourth or fifth-round pick."

Olave has had a brutal injury history during his tenure with the Saints, but he has been healthy so far in the 2025 season. There are a number of reasons why that is the case now, but the hope is that he can keep it up and build off of his early production. He has not been able to reach his potential yet, but if he can stay on the field, maybe he can finally break out and be a true threat.

In 2025 so far, Olave has 33 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown. The yards per catch (YPC) is somewhat concerning, but as long as he stays on the field and continues to improve, that number should go up. It doesn't help that quarterback Spencer Rattler is one of the worst quarterbacks with completed air yards (CAY).

However, the actual worst quarterback on that list is surprisingly Aaron Rodgers. If the Steelers do get Olave, then his YPC could continue to stay very low. Luckily, Pittsburgh has its deep threat already on the team in DK Metcalf, so it's not like they would expect the Saints' wideout to suddenly jump his YPC. He could just be a great complement to Metcalf.

Steelers Can Overlook Olave's Red Flags

As mentioned before, the YPC issue should not be that concerning. As long as Olave has good hands and can run the route that he is schemed to do, he should be fine as a quality WR2 in this offense. Besides, Rodgers is still a better quarterback overall than Rattler, even if the advanced analytics don't like what the 41-year-old is doing currently. There will be chances for the fourth-year receiver to thrive.

The injury issues can be attributed to one particular issue. When Head Coach Dennis Allen was fired in 2024, Interim Coach Darren Rizzi's first course of action was to add an "activation period," which is just a fancy way of saying warmups. There was no set, mandatory warmup routine under Allen, and that contributed to injuries all over the place, including with Olave.

Khan has supposedly been trying for a couple years to get Olave on the team, especially after the receiver's family made posts about how New Orleans was misusing him. If the Steelers can get him for a Day 3 pick and give him the chance to thrive, he could get an extension and be yet another weapon for whichever quarterback Pittsburgh drafts in 2026 or 2027. There's very little downside here.

Texans GM Nick Caserio Delivers Reality Check Before Trade Deadline

The Houston Texans could be a team to monitor at the 2025 trade deadline, which falls on November 4 this season, following general manager Nick Caserio’s comments during his media availability on Tuesday.

Caserio raised eyebrows during the session, offering an update on running back Joe Mixon.

However, Caserio’s remarks about the rapidly approaching deadline could speak volumes, with the Texans sitting at 2-3 and on their bye in Week 6.

Texans Bracing for 2025 Trade Deadline

Caserio is in his fifth season as the Texans’ general manager. He made it clear that his expectations for significant activity at this year’s trade deadline are low, but he plans to stay nimble.

Caserio said the Texans will “look at” their options at the trade deadline and “have some flexibility.”

The Texans’ GM said it all starts with a “cost-benefit analysis” to do in any deal.

“There’s always a cost. Do a cost-benefit analysis. Not to get into a big economics discussion, but that’s a part of it. So, if you’re going to give something up, what are you getting in return? And if you’re comfortable with that decision, what’s it cost from a contractual standpoint? Some of those types of things. So, try to maintain as much flexibility as possible,” Caserio told reporters on October 7.

“We’re in a decent spot. If there’s a situation out there that we feel makes some sense, and it works out, great. If it doesn’t, then okay. There’s nothing we can do about it, and we’re prepared to handle it with the players that we have here.

Last season, the Texans traded defensive tackle Khalil Davis to the San Francisco 49ers at the deadline.

They traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings in October 2024, some three weeks before the deadline.

“We’re getting close here. You’re starting to see a little bit of jockeying. Teams are losing players. The trade deadline’s call it, three, four weeks away. So, again, I know everybody gets excited about the trade deadline, and, typically, it ends up being more of a whimper than anything else. But, you never know. Every year is a little bit different. So, always be open-minded. I think that’s the one thing I think we’ve shown: we’re open-minded. Be adaptable, be flexible,” Caserio said.

“If there’s a situation that makes sense, great. If there’s not, then kind of keep pressing ahead.”

The Texans have one of the most talented young rosters in the league under Caserio. However, they also have a significant decision to make on quarterback C.J. Stroud, who will be extension-eligible next offseason, that they must keep in mind in any dealings.

Texans’ Track Record Looms Large Before Trade Deadline

According to Spotrac, Caserio has made more than 40 trades to acquire players or draft capital since taking over the Texans’ general manager job in 2021, with two more at the 2024 deadline.

In the last calendar year, the Texans have acquired four players and made seven other trades involving draft capital. Their most recent acquisition was tight end Harrison Bryant from the Philadelphia Eagles in August, amid myriad injuries at the position.

Their dealings have yielded mixed results, too.

Bryant has contributed, and offensive lineman Ed Ingram is a starter at right guard, while wide receiver Christian Kirk is back healthy and helping out of the slot.

However, in addition to Mixon’s absence, the Texans cut safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whom they acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason, before Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans have rattled off back-to-back wins since.

Texans Could Have Quiet Trade Deadline

The list of players the Texans traded for since Caserio’s arrival, but who are no longer with the team, includes offensive linemen Josh Jones, Marcus Cannon, and Shaq Mason. Wide receivers Ben Skoronek and Stefon Diggs are on there, too.

There are others.

So, it stands to reason that the Caserio and the Texans are more likely to stand pat at the trade deadline than swing a deal, especially for the sake of doing so.

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