Pittsburgh Steelers trade Martavis Bryant to Oakland Raiders

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their first move of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The trio of wide receivers in Pittsburgh has become a duo. According the Adam Schefter, the Steelers have traded wide receiver Martavis Bryant to the Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh received a third-round pick in 2018 NFL Draft.

This is huge news, but something people may have saw coming. A departure of Martavis Bryant was expected this offseason. Despite talks beginning to dimmer, the news of a trade does not shock everyone.

This makes the first-round of the NFL Draft very interesting. Pittsburgh has a plan and with four top three-round picks, they can certainly pick up some quality talent.

Bryant didn’t have the breakout year many hoped for. After missing the 2017 season, he returned to the field with a slow start. The chemistry just wasn’t there between him and Ben Roethlisberger, and even when it began to develop, drops became a major issue.

Bryant has made it known in the past that he wants a chance somewhere else. His 84 targets in a returning season isn’t something he wants, and no one can blame him. The fit just wasn’t there, and JuJu Smith-Schuster was a major cause of that.

Smith-Schuster now becomes the second man in the receiving core. This could open up a door for a wideout rookie to add themselves to the mix. Or, this could foreshadow an Eli Rogers return when the receiver is further in his recovery.

No matter what the reason, Pittsburgh has made noise in the 2018 NFL Draft. They’re looking to take advantage of a loaded draft class. They see something and they’re trying to get their hands on it.

Next: 15 greatest 1st round picks in Steelers history

The Steelers will pick in the first round, 28th. This could be a surprising pick if Calvin Ridley is still on the board.