The Steelers have made a plethora of small trades during training camp, and 2020 should be no different as the Steelers could still build their roster
The Steelers have become one of the busiest front offices in the past few years in terms of adding players late into training camp. The Steelers typically assess their roster, see what holes there are, and add players accordingly and assuming they get a deal that works for them. Some of these trades have really worked out; the Vance McDonald trade has proven to be well worth the move back. Others, like adding Ryan Switzer or J.J. Wilcox, have proven to be more of a wasted pick.
While the Steelers roster is put together well, they are still lacking in certain areas. These areas provide a starting point as to what position the Steelers may look to target during camp. While there isn’t a guarantee that a deal will happen, the Steelers have made it a point to add to these weak spots in hopes of patching that hole at least for that season.
Important to note is that the Steelers typically only target players that they have had previous interest in and typically are still on their rookie deals. Being a high pedigree player doesn’t hurt either, as the Steelers typically like to add players who were drafted before the fourth round. Finally, these deals need to be cheap, as the Steelers rarely part with more than a day three pick, and more typically swap late-round picks in exchange for the player. With all of this considered, here are the most likely Steelers trade candidates for training camp.
Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick was an uber-athletic LB out of Temple in 2017, and reportedly the Steelers had a lot of interest in him leading up to the draft. The Cardinals took him before the Steelers could, and he has since gone on to struggle as a starter. Seemingly his biggest issue has been finding a constant role on defense. He entered the league as an ILB, shifted to more of an outside role, and now he lacks a true position on defense.
While his lack of a position isn’t ideal, Reddick would be a clear ILB in the Steelers defense. Considering the lack of depth at the position and the questions some fans have about Vince Williams, adding a player like Reddick could be a low-risk high reward type move. Reddick has upside as a pass rusher too, meaning a more full-time role as an ILB, especially in the Steelers system that likes to blitz from the inside, could utilize him to the fullest extent.
The biggest issues facing Reddick coming to the Steelers are his ability as a coverage LB and his price. While Reddick is athletic, he gave up 7 TD’s in coverage last season. While not ideal, he still has shown more in coverage than Williams has. In terms of cost, Reddick is currently projected to cost about 4.3 million in cap space as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. While that number is a little higher than the Steelers would like, it should still fit with their current cap projections.
In terms of trade cost, Reddick is being heavily speculated as a cap casualty. If that’s the case, he likely could be had for a 6th-7th round pick. Assuming the Steelers gave up a 6th for him, that would be a minimal investment for a player with his upside and ability. While he wouldn’t be a full-time starter, he should be able to provide quality depth and perhaps even leap Williams for playing time.
Justin Evans
The Steelers had a big question mark at safety entering the offseason. While Minkah Fitzpatrick has locked down one side, Terrell Edmunds has proven to be a lackluster starter on the other end. Even worse, behind them, there is little to nothing in terms of depth. Finding a backup safety who could start at SS in sub-packages is key, and thus Justin Evans makes a lot of sense for the Steelers.
Evans has been a middling starter for the Buccaneers since being selected in the second round. They added Antoine Winfield Jr. in the draft, meaning his time with the Bucs may be coming to a close. Evans has position versatility as well, playing more FS with them, but has the size to be more of a rangy SS with the Steelers. This could mean Edmunds takes on more of a box safety role and Evans plays as a deeper SS.
Aiding his value was the fact he missed all of last year due to injury. That means his value should be in the same realm as Reddick, where a 6th round pick would probably be able to get the deal done. His cap hit on the last year of his deal is only 1.2 million, something that would be easy for the Steelers to absorb. Assuming the Bucs are ready to move on from Evans, the Steelers should be a team primed to add him to their roster.
Richie James
While the Steelers added a big and physical WR to the roster in Chase Claypool, they are still lacking a tradition slot WR to help open up the middle. While JuJu Smith-Schuster fills the role of “big slot”, that shifty over the middle threat is lacking in the Steelers passing game. As of now, their best option there is Ryan Switzer (I shudder to think), meaning that finding someone to at least compete with him would be beneficial. That’s why Richie James from the 49ers makes so much sense to add via trade for the Steelers.
James was a late-round pick out of Middle Tennessee St. but the Steelers reportable had a lot of interest in the speedy slot WR. He hasn’t done much in his time with the 49ers, catching only 15 passes over two years, but he has popped his big-play ability with the ball in his hands. For the Steelers, he would fill in as the 5th WR on the roster and be the first player off the bench for slot duties.
As well, James also is a quality return man, serving as both the punt and kick returner for the 49ers over the past few years. While he has shared that role with others on the roster, he has proven to at least be competent in that area of his game. He has clear value as a bit player and returner, but he will likely fall out of the 49ers due to the number of players they have at the position. As well, he suffered a wrist injury this offseason, likely meaning he won’t be ready for the season.
Because of this, his value is likely at rock bottom, but if the Steelers really wanted him, offering up a trade would secure him for the Steelers. My guess would be a conditional 2022 7th rounder, likely dependent on his playing time in 2021. He would have to start the season on PUP, but he should be mostly healed early in the season. Afterward, he would be a name to consider as a returner as well as a slot WR. He has a lot of positives to his game, and given the minimal investment, he would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to trade for during camp.
Jarrad Davis
Jarrad Davis was yet another ILB that the Steelers had a lot of interest leading up to the 2017 draft, and while he has seen the field more than Reddick, he has equally disappointed for the Lions. With their recent additions of Jamie Collins and the expectations for 2019 second rounder Jahlani Tavai, Davis may be on the outside looking in for starter snaps. Thus, a scenery change to the Steelers may be just what the doctor ordered.
Davis tested well as an athlete, but those traits haven’t gotten him much past average run-stopping LB. He is ok in coverage but lacks the instincts or ball skills to be a true coverage LB. While not a complete player, he has been solid in stopping the run and easily has more upside than Williams. With a cap hit of just under two million, he should be affordable for the Steelers to roster in 2020.
All of this said the Lions would want enough compensation to justify getting rid of him. No, they wouldn’t expect a day two pick, but it would likely cost the Steelers at least a 5th (something they don’t have right now). My guess is, the Lions would swap a 5th and Davis for one of the Steelers projected 4th rounders. While that price is steeper than Riddick, Davis could comfortably start next to Devin Bush next year. This would give the Steelers more overall depth at ILB and frankly could turn this unit into a true strength this year.
Marcus Maye
Looking again at the safety depth, the Steelers could be players for Marcus Maye if he is truly on the trade block. Like Evans, Maye has been playing FS but has the size and skill set to be a rangier SS, allowing Edmunds to shift into the box. He has been a constant starter for the Jets since being drafted in the second round, and with the Steelers reportedly very interested in him before the draft, he could make sense as a trade target into camp.
If the Steelers did make a move for Maye, he would be the favorite to start as SS with Edmunds becoming more of a package player toward the line of scrimmage. As well, if anything were to happen to Fitzpatrick (God forbid), he could just as easily shift to FS. He has decent ball skills and can stop the run well. There is little downside to him outside of the fact his contract is set to expire after this year (a common trait on this list mind you).
Maye’s versatility and talent would make the Steelers secondary elite. While his odds of being traded may have decreased with the recent Jamal Adams trade, the Jets have reportedly been willing to move Maye since last year. His price will be the highest though. Given his contract status, I’m guessing he could be had for a 4th straight up, but it isn’t unthinkable that the Steelers would have to give up a 3rd for Maye (and maybe recoup another late-round pick). Assuming a fair deal could be worked out, adding Maye would be a wise move for the Steelers.
Considering the Steelers’ affinity for making training camp trades, don’t be surprised if the team targets someone by the time the season starts. While the roster is well built, there are always areas that the Steelers could look to add talent to.