With the Steelers having other options over him, here are the five teams that could logistically try and trade for Layne.
To say that the Steelers’ former third-round pick Justin Layne has been a disappointment is an understatement. While it was widely recognized that Layne was going to be a developmental player, he hasn’t shown anything indicating that he will be more than a backup player and average special team’s option. Add in his recent run-in with the law, and it appears as though Layne is no lock to make the roster once the Steelers trim their roster down.
Why should the Steelers trade Layne then?
Simply put, he may still have some developmental upside to certain teams either in need of another cornerback or that were interested in Layne before the draft. He is only entering his third season as a pro, and teams may feel like they can still get the most out of Layne. No, his value isn’t immense, but if the Steelers are set to cut him anyway, getting whatever they can out of Layne would be the better alternative.
This happened just a few years ago when the Steelers acquired Justin Gilbert from the Browns, as the former first-round pick was about to wash out with Cleveland before the team sent a late-round pick to add him to the roster. On the flip side, if the Steelers keep Layne around and he continues to not play or get burnt, he will be even harder to trade. Getting something for him right now, no matter how little, would at least make his tenure with the team a little better. With that said, here are the five teams that could trade for Layne.
New Orleans Saints
Heading into the draft, one of the Saints’ biggest needs was securing another cornerback. The rumor was that they were looking to make a big move close to the top ten to secure one of the top defensive backs, but that move never came into fruition. They did add Paulson Adebo, but their cornerback room could use another body before the season starts.
Layne would slot in as the top backup cornerback for the Saints, and he could even contend with Adebo early in the season given his veteran status. Marcus Lattimore would play on the opposite side while Chauncey Gardner-Johnson could remain more in the slot. This would give the Saints another option in the secondary and it wouldn’t force them to start Adebo as a rookie if he wasn’t ready to play week one.
In terms of compensation, a late-round pick would likely get the deal done. As well, swapping picks could also be a move. Perhaps the Steelers would trade Layne and their fifth for the Saints fourth? This would get the team back into the fourth round and the Saints wouldn’t lose a draft pick. While the Saints do have some edge depth, it seems unlikely that there would be a fair player-for-player swap. Instead, a simple player for draft capital should get this deal done.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys, like the Saints, needed a top cornerback heading into the 2021 draft. Every mock seemingly had them landing Patrick Surtain, but the Broncos opted to snag him before the Cowboys could make the selection. While they did add Kelvin Joseph in the second round, he has was considered raw coming out of Kentucky. The Cowboys could do well with another cornerback on their roster.
Layne would once again insert his name into the starting mix, although the competition here is a bit stiffer. Anthony Brown and Joseph are already set to be competing for the second starting cornerback role, so Layne would have more competition than with the Saints. That said, he would still be a good security option for the Cowboys, especially if they think they can develop him some this season. They could keep him on the bench with the hopes of getting him more involved next season.
Once again, the compensation wouldn’t be that notable for Layne. The Steelers could once again expect a late-round draft pick or a pick swap with the Cowboys to send Layne their way. On the flip side, the Steelers could target a player for a player deal. Connor McGovern is one of the better interior depth players. With David DeCastro recently getting released, McGovern could help ease the loss and strengthen the interior depth of this team. A deal like that would make a lot of sense for both sides, as it would address weakness on both rosters.
New York Jets
One team that could make a surprising push this season, the Jets seemingly have their guy at quarterback, so building around him is now the essential task. The offense is full of potential, but their defense could use some work. Frankly put, the Jets are lacking a true starting cornerback, as Bless Austin and Bryce Hall are currently slated to start.
It can be argued that Layne is on par with these two, and if given the chance the Jets may opt to start him on the outside. Even if they kept Hall and Austin as the starters, having a capable third corner is important. Layne is unproven in that role, but he would be a better option there than anyone else the Jets currently have.
This trade practically writes itself as well. The Steelers have a third-year corner on the bubble while the Jets have a third-round tackle/guard on the bubble. Chuma Edoga hasn’t lived up to the expectations he had coming out of USC, but he has quite a few starts under his belt and would improve the depth on the Steelers line. A player-for-player swap here makes too much sense: the Jets get a potential starter and at worst a top backup while the Steelers get a flexible guard and tackle option to strengthen this battered offensive line.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks haven’t been the same since the legion of boom left town, and their secondary has been a weak point on their roster. While they have tried various different players to get that secondary back to its former glory, they are left with a plethora of question marks as opposed to answers heading into the season.
Layne fits the prototypical mold of a Seahawks cornerback, and adding him to the mix would only benefit their depth chart. As well, the Seahawks have consistently gotten good results out of the corners that they have invested in. They would be a good spot for Layne to go and hone his craft a little. Even if he doesn’t start right away, he could still have a role on the defense and work with the Seahawks staff to develop as a corner.
Once again, this trade writes itself pretty well. The Seahawks have a plethora of edge rushers, and they would likely be willing to unload one for Layne. Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson headline the likely candidate list, and the Steelers showed interest in both during last year’s draft. Another name that would make sense is Colby Parkinson, as he is down on the Seahawks depth chart a bit and would fit the mold of what the Steelers like in a tight end. Any of these players would make sense, and both teams would benefit from making this deal.
Chicago Bears
If you want to talk about a team that could really want a player like Layne, the Bears would headline it. As of now, there is a real chance that Artie Burns will start on the outside if they play Desmond Trufant in the slot. While Layne hasn’t proven much in his short time with the Steelers, most fans should remember just how bad the secondary was with Burns back there and how desperate the Bears must be if they are considering starting him.
Layne would once again be throwing his name into the starting hat, and he would at worst give more competition to the corner group that the Bears are set to rely on. Jaylon Johnson has the makings of a solid coverage corner, and Trufant is a great slot fit, but the Bears need another capable body here. Layne would be a cheap solution with some potential for the Bears at least.
Looking over their roster, this deal would likely be for draft capital. The only name that would make sense (and granted this is a stretch) is Anthony Miller given the rumors that the Bears want to move him. He would make an already great Steelers receiving room even better but adding him at this point doesn’t make a lot of sense. Instead, a late-round pick or a draft pick swap should be enough to get Layne to the Bears.
With James Pierre set to take on the starting role this year on the outside, now is the time for the Steelers to try and trade Layne. They would get more value out of him now as opposed to next season, and Layne would have two seasons with his new team to try and revive his career. The five teams listed here seem like the most logical fit, as each team could find a use for a player like Layne in 2021.