5 Steelers that should be traded during the 2021 NFL Draft

James Washington

Let me be clear, James Washington is a very good receiver who thrives when making a physical catch. He seems like a great guy both on and off the field, but like it or not this will be his last season with the Steelers as his rookie deal expires. Given the teams’ talent at finding receivers, resigning Washington seems rather unlikely at this point.

Given how deep the receiver class is the Steelers could likely replace Washington with a fourth-round receiver. The receiver trade market is rather hot, as low-level options have been netting sixth and seventh-round picks. Washington would get far more than that, likely in the range of a fourth-round pick given his talent. It would make sense for him to go to a team that needs a third option, as that’s far more than what he would get with the team this season.

Again, Washington is a supremely talented option to have in the passing game, but with Chase Claypool likely taking over as the deep threat, Washington would do well to find a new home. The team could net a day-two pick, draft another receiver in the fourth round, and not skip a beat on offense. This team has other needs, so getting a decent value pick in exchange for Washington makes a lot of sense.

While the Steelers have done the best they can to rebuild this roster, the draft will still have to fill quite a few needs. With a plethora of options at different positions, the team could flip a few of their players for draft picks. Here are the most likely players the team could trade on draft night.