Steelers trade for Jets' Mike Williams, Packers' Preston Smith - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Not only did the Steelers land Jets wide receiver Mike Williams in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick, but the team made another deadline-day move in acquiring Packers pass rusher Preston Smith for a seventh-round selection, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

In Williams, the Steelers added a complementary player to top wideout George Pickens, who has been a focal point of defenses since the team traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson in the offseason.

And by trading for Smith, the Steelers bolstered a position group that has dealt with a number of injuries this season with a 10-year veteran who has been a consistent starter for two organizations over the past nine seasons. While pass rusher Alex Highsmith is healthy now, he missed three games with a groin injury, and second-year pass rusher Nick Herbig has been sidelined three games with a hamstring injury. Smith, who has 2.5 sacks and 19 tackles this season, will also help the Steelers' run defense as the team enters a pivotal stretch of AFC North play.

Though the Steelers' passing game has improved since Russell Wilson took the starting quarterback reins against Williams' former team, Pittsburgh still felt it needed another receiver to round out a group that includes Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson, who was recently placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Since Mike Williams entered the NFL in 2017, he's been one of the best at contested catches. His 1,451 receiving yards on tight-window throws (less than 1 yard of separation) are the most in the NFL over that span and his 82 catches on such passes trail only now-retired receiver DeVante Parker's