With a handful of transactions on Wednesday, the wide receiver trade market is suddenly booming. Despite the consistent intrigue they'll be active players in this market, all due to the lingering need for a WR2, the Steelers have yet to pull off any moves.

The wide receiver position is stronger than it was a season ago, or at least it has more upside. Omar Khan traded for DK Metcalf then sent George Pickens packing, giving the Steelers a more consistent No. 1 receiver that also has the added bonus of no additional baggage. I mean, when players are pulling aside reporters such as myself to complain about the guy, it's a major problem. That's now gone. In addition, Calvin Austin III has turned into a really nice No. 3 type and third-round pick Roman Wilson continues to earn praise from Aaron Rodgers. 

However, Austin is not thought to be a consistent outside threat and Wilson did most of his damage at Michigan out of the slot. On top of that, the depth after those two is filled with a number of guys that perfectly fit the bill of a WR4 or WR5. Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek are the most likely guys to be on the roster to start the season, with undrafted free agent guys such as Max Hurleman and Ke'Shawn Williams flashing potential, but most likely as candidates for the practice squad.

All of that said, the Steelers don't have an unquestioned second outside receiver. Until they do, this position will remain a concern.

The good thing is, regardless of any potential targets, the Steelers have plenty of space under the salary cap. Despite the significant difference between Spotrac reporting $35.8 million in cap space and OverTheCap.com reporting $19.1 million, the cap is of no concern to the team when it comes to further acquisitions.

In my reporting on the Steelers calling the Commanders about Terry McLaurin, one very prominent source told me the cap was of no concern regarding giving him a new contract should a trade have coalesced. Since McLaurin is looking for WR1 money, most likely north of $30 million per season, and now knowing that the Steelers were engaging with Cam Heyward in negotiations at the time, it's very safe to say that regardless of what cap numbers you pull up on the internet, it's a non-factor for the Steelers in any pursuit of a WR2. Khan is a cap genius. He'd easily figure it out.

So, knowing that money isn't a concern, who could the Steelers possibly trade for?

• Terry McLaurin: Let's just get this out of the way now. I've heard nothing different regarding McLaurin. Unless McLaurin changes his stance on wanting to be the No. 1 receiver wherever he plays, the Steelers will not be trading for him. Perhaps the lingering Austin injury could force Khan to pick up the phone once again. However, as long as McLaurin wants to be the top guy and get top-guy money, the Steelers are not a likely suitor. Sorry to burst everyone's bubble.

• Gabe Davis: One of the few free agents left, the Steelers have now hosted Davis for a visit on two different occasions. The first was back in May, and the team immediately had concerns about the knee. So much so, that one source told me Davis wasn't a viable option for adding prior to the season. Even so, the Steelers just hosted him again on Tuesday, but once again left without signing a contract. Davis also met with the Bills on Wednesday, and also left Orchard Park, N.Y., without a contract. Until anything changes with Davis, his recovery from a torn meniscus last season remains a huge red flag for teams.

• Amari Cooper: When I say I've heard nothing about Cooper, I mean absolutely nothing. Not one word spoken about him. I'm not exactly sure why the Steelers wouldn't be interested, but the fact that a five-time Pro Bowl receiver remains a free agent on Aug. 21 with zero traction throughout the league should tell you something's up there. And it's obviously something that has all 32 teams saying, "No, thanks."

• Nobody from the 49ers: Jauan Jennings became a hot name in the market once news broke that he wanted a new contract and could be traded should he not get one. However, Jennings has since sustained a calf injury and the 49ers have been decimated by injury at wide receiver. Not only did that rule out them trading away a receiver, but they parted with a sixth-round pick to acquire Skyy Moore and a seventh-round pick from the Chiefs for reinforcements. Thus, I'd rule out any trade with the 49ers for a receiver.

• Maybe the Texans?: The Texans were a popular team in the wide receiver trade market since they drafted two in April and acquired Christian Kirk from the Jaguars, giving them an abundance of talent at the position. However, the Texans just traded John Metchie III to the Eagles earlier this week. Maybe -- and I mean maybe -- the Texans can still listen to offers for Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson or Braxton Berrios, but that's far from a guarantee.

• Somebody from the Patriots: A team that also has more receivers than available roster spots, only the Patriots haven't been broadcasted as much as the Texans or other teams. Right now, the Patriots have Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Javon Baker and Efton Chism III all on their roster. Not only is that too many, but at least three too many. The realistic options from this group aren't serious needle movers, but can still give the Steelers some more upside for the position. 

• Romeo Doubs: The Packers are another team that have some overstock at wide receiver, especially with the emergence of rookie Matthew Golden. Doubs is heading into the final year of his contract, and there is some serious speculation he won't return to Green Bay. Thus, the Packers could look to recoup whatever they can. Doubs would be a great fit opposite of Metcalf. While health has been a bit of an issue, he's a good route runner and has gotten better each year as a run blocker. Perhaps the Packers don't want to part with Doubs, but are willing to listen to offers for Jayden Reed or Dontayvion Wicks. Either way, the Packers are another team to watch in this wide receiver trade market right now.

• Allen Lazard: Regardless of what the Jets do, as long as the Steelers are looking for another receiver, Lazard's name is going to be attached somehow given his ties to Rodgers. After all, Lazard's played seven NFL seasons, and Rodgers has been his quarterback in every single one of them. Maybe the Jets are willing to listen to offers there. Who knows? But, Lazard's name has been thrown around in trade rumors more often lately, so Lazard is here by default.

• Mitchell Tinsley: The Bengals have a very deep receiving corps, highlighted by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Andrei Iosivas is another lock for the roster in Cincinnati. However, Tinsley is turning all kinds of heads during the preseason. The former undrafted free agent out of Penn State is making a serious push for a roster spot, but the Bengals have 2024 third-round pick Jermaine Burton is a wild card and 2023 fourth-round pick Charlie Jones to consider, as well. Should Tinsley possibly be on the outside looking in, Khan could jump on it either via trade or wait to see if Tinsley is released next week on cutdown day (Aug. 27). 

• Adam Thielen: While the Steelers are in Carolina, maybe Khan gets something done so Thielen can just fly back to Pittsburgh with the team. Yeah, Thielen is turning 35 on Friday. But, he's got one year left on his contract and he still reeled in 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games on a dreadful Panthers team last season. Acquiring Thielen would at least help solve the WR2 issue this season, then allow the Steelers to revisit it next spring.