Mike Williams and Preston Smith were acquired by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL trade deadline.
The Steelers were discussed all offseason as a team trying to acquire a WR. They were linked to Brandon Aiyuk in the offseason but could not acquire him.
Pittsburgh gave up a 2025 fifth-round pick for Mike Williams and a 2025 seventh-round pick for Preston Smith. That is good value for those two players.
Read below to see how much impact Mike Williams and Preston Smith will make for the Steelers and if they move the needle.
Pittsburgh Steelers Acquire Mike Williams & Preston Smith
The Pittsburgh Steelers made two moves at the trade deadline.
They acquired WR Mike Williams for a 2025 fifth-round pick and edge pass rusher Preston Smith for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Mike Williams
Grade: B
The Steelers have been searching for a WR for months. They finally made a move to acquire one but it may not have been their first choice… or second or third.
Pittsburgh wanted Brandon Aiyuk but was unable to acquire him. Other WRs the Steelers were linked to were Davante Adams, Courtland Sutton, and DK Metcalf.
However, the Steelers settled for Mike Williams.
Mike Williams is a complementary player to pair with top wideout George Pickens. Pickens has been the focal point in the passing attack since the Steelers traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for CB Donte Jackson in the offseason.
Pickens will remain the top option in the passing attack. However, the WR2 position becomes unclear now with the addition of Mike Williams.
Talent has not been an issue for Williams. Health has been the biggest concern with him. If Mike Williams can remain healthy, he instantly becomes the team’s second most talented WR. There is not much competition as the current WR2 is Van Jefferson.
Williams is good at catching contested deep balls, something Russell Wilson will enjoy.
Mike Williams should have a very healthy role in the offense once he becomes more familiar with the scheme.
Preston Smith
Grade: B-
Preston Smith gives depth to a position group the Steelers are strong in. However, Alex Highsmith dealt with an injury earlier this season. Nick Herbig has been sidelined for three games due to a hamstring injury.
Smith has 2.5 sacks and 19 tackles this season will give the Steelers a nice depth piece. He will also help the Steelers’ run defense, which has struggled recently.
Smith’s playing time with the Packers decreased recently, playing less than 50% of the snaps in two of their last three games.
However, with injury concerns and trying to keep Watt and Highsmith healthy, Smith boosts a defense that has not been as strong in recent games.
It is unlikely Preston Smith starts but he should still see a healthy amount of playing time.
Do Mike Williams & Preston Smith Make The Steelers Better?
While adding Mike Williams and Preston Smith were two good moves by the Steelers, it does not move the needle in the AFC.
They got both players at a good value but these two moves do not make the Steelers more of a threat in a stacked AFC.
Mike Williams was not the first choice the Steelers wanted when they were searching for a WR. He has major trouble with staying healthy.
Mike Williams and Preston Smith were two solid moves and help the Steelers improve but overall, they do not move the needle much and make the Steelers more of a threat in the AFC.
