Should the Steelers go shopping before the trade deadline?
As the NFL’s trade deadline quickly approaches on Halloween this year, the question has been asked if the Steelers should get involved. Would it benefit them to trade for other teams’ quality players, who may no longer be fit for the trade partner’s plans going forward?
Some potential trade partners could include the Bears, Panthers, Broncos, Patriots, Cardinals, and Giants, who all currently have losing records. However, will any of these teams have a fire sale? There is talent on all of these teams even though their record does not reflect it.
The areas of need are apparent. The defensive line, secondary, and offensive line could use some additional help. The Steelers need to be dominant in the trenches and it wouldn’t hurt to have another shutdown corner.
Omar Khan has shown a propensity for making moves early into his tenure as Steelers GM. Even so, if you have to ask if the organization would make a big splash, you can look back on how they acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Here are some areas the Steelers could use some help.
Defensive Line
The defensive line remains a concern due to Cam Heyward’s injury. Even if Cam was still available the drafting of Keeanu Benton is not sufficient if the Steelers want to be a dominant defensive line. The Steelers need to be able to roll with eight quality defensive linemen in each game: not inclusive of the outside linebackers.
The Steelers have some other players on the defensive line, but they cannot make up for the loss of Heyward.
By the way, Cameron Heyward is 34 and sustained a major injury. IF he returns, he will likely be on a pitch count, making an addition here vital even if the longest-tenured player in the locker room comes back this season.
Secondary
The Steelers thought the signing of Patrick Peterson and the drafting of Joey Porter Jr. would improve the Steelers secondary, which is ranked 18th in the NFL.
They continue to give up big plays and Patrick Peterson appears to be past his prime. Joey Porter Jr. has flashed as a rookie, and I remain unimpressed with Levi Wallace this season, who seems out of place every game.
If there was a high-quality corner available by trade would the Steelers give up a high-round draft pick?
Right now they are going to the dollar store trying to get lucky on a player nobody else wants.
Offensive Line
The Steelers drafted LT Broderick Jones 14th overall in this year’s NFL Draft. They started him against the Baltimore Ravens, where he got great reviews: and then they benched him.
It makes no sense. What they need to do is move Dan Moore Jr. to right tackle, and bench Chukwuma Okorafor.
Okorafor is on the last year of his 13 million-dollar deal. The Steelers are solid as an offensive line, but if there was a young stud available at center they should consider that too. (They can acquire depth in the draft or free agency next season.)
Final Thoughts
The key to trading is that one team, the seller, feels they are ready to start over now while the buyer is a contender looking to go all the way.
Will the Steelers make the playoffs this year? Could they be a contender? That’s the key to buying and selling before the trade deadline.
The Steelers could get involved, and Omar Khan is always looking to improve. He did a nice job at cutdown time turning two players into draft picks; Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson were going to get cut. Khan received fourth-round and fifth-round picks from the Rams for Dotson, and a sixth-round pick from Houston for Green.
Perhaps this capital could be used as ammo to bolster the roster midseason?
