New NFL Trade Rumors as Chiefs, Steelers Target Key Position Before Deadline

Wide receiver will reportedly be a position to watch for some AFC contenders ahead of the NFL's Nov. 10 trade deadline.

"You look at the Kansas City Chiefs, they are calling around at least to see what they can potentially add," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Monday. "Now they should get Rashee Rice back, he's been out with that hamstring for the last three weeks. … They could look to add a piece in the next few weeks just because all the injuries they've had at that position."

Fowler also called the Pittsburgh Steelers a "team to watch" for wide receiver trades.

As for Kansas City, Rice hasn't played since the team's Oct. 4 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, while Tyquan Thornton will be sidelined for significant time after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in that same game.

Their absences have put plenty of pressure on 37-year-old tight end Travis Kelce to continue performing in the aerial attack. Kelce leads the team with 343 receiving yards and is the only Chiefs pass-catcher with more than Thornton's 219.

Fowler listed Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs as a "name to watch" as a potential trade target for any team needing help at the position.

Indianapolis is 2-5 on the season and does not look like a contender. If the front office shifts its focus toward the future and a rebuild, that could mean trading a number of veterans such as Downs, Jonathan Taylor or DeForest Buckner for draft capital ahead of the deadline.

Downs leads the team with 307 receiving yards, which is more than any wide receiver on the Chiefs. It is also more than any wide receiver outside of DK Metcalf on the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is another team in the market for help at the position.

Roman Wilson is sidelined with a knee injury in Pittsburgh, and running back Jaylen Warren is second on the team in receiving yards. While Germie Bernard has shown flashes, the Steelers likely need another playmaker on the outside opposite of Metcalf if they are going to parlay their 5-2 start into a deep AFC playoff run.

Whether that is Downs or someone else, it wouldn't be surprising to see the AFC North team be aggressive ahead of the deadline.