The Pittsburgh Steelers could use a big upgrade to one of their weakest positions and this trade scenario with the Cowboys makes too much sense to ignore.
We are just hours away from the NFL trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean that it’s too late for potential contenders to make a move. After a rocky start to the 2021 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have really turned things around and have won three straight games.
Looking ahead at their schedule, Mike Tomlin’s team has upcoming home matchups against the Bears and Lions and his team could very well be 6-3 going into the backstretch of the season.
With the Steelers still very much in the AFC playoff picture and with the defense firing on all cylinders, Kevin Colbert could make a move that would drastically help improve things on the offensive side of the ball. Though we can now start counting in hours before the NFL trade deadline, Pittsburgh would be wise to seek a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for offensive tackle, La’el Collins.
Steelers should trade for Collins
Collins has been a terrific player for Dallas over the past several years. Recently, however, the Cowboys have really liked what they have seen from their developmental tackle in Terence Steele, as he currently ranks as the 18th-highest-graded tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.
As a result of Steele’s spectacular play, Dallas could be open to shopping Collins, who has been one of the better right tackles in the NFL over the past few seasons when healthy.
It just so happens that right tackle is one of the weakest positions on Pittsburgh’s roster in 2021, and Chukwuma Okorafor hasn’t been getting the job done. Even if he does end up turning things around, Okorafor also becomes a free agent after the 2021 season and Pittsburgh will still be looking for a long-term option.
Collins would be a much better option at right tackle than Okorafor or backup Zach Banner, and his guaranteed money has already been paid by Dallas this year. In addition to being a proven 28-year-old in his 6th NFL season, Collins has a very affordable contract that doesn’t expire until after2024. He’s a player that the Steelers could start to build their offensive line around.
As Ben Roethlisberger continues to get the ball out of his hands quickly, La’el Collins could be just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers. The Cowboys, meanwhile, probably wouldn’t mind getting a quality pick in return. Though executing this deal could cost Pittsburgh as much as a second-round pick, they would have their right tackle of the future and would not have to worry about potentially swinging and missing on one early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
There isn’t much time left to pull off a move like this, but I think trading for La’el Collins is a deal that could make sense for both sides involved, and the Steelers would be wise to pull the trigger and get an immediate upgrade at right tackle.