4 early trade targets for the Steelers in the 2022 offseason

Steelers should trade for Rapp

Another rookie in the final year of his deal next year, Taylor Rapp could be a hot name to attach to the Steelers in 2022. The simple reason for this is that current starter Terrell Edmunds is set to be a free agent and will likely sign elsewhere. This leaves the team extremely thin at strong safety, as the only potential option currently with the team to start would be Karl Joseph, assuming he is signed to the offseason roster after his stint on the practice squad.

Unfortunately, the free-agent names at strong safety aren’t great, so unless the Steelers want to use their top pick on a safety (assuming there was one worth taking) then the team will need a different plan. Taylor Rapp has been an efficient hybrid box safety since being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft. As a run defender and physical threat, the team couldn’t have a better player.

His coverage and contract would be the worst aspects of bringing him in though. He would be in the final year of his rookie deal and since he wasn’t a first-round pick, he would have to be given a new deal after next season. His coverage is the bigger issue though, as he is average at best when asked to cover anyone. That said, for a short-term rental as the team looks for a more permanent strong safety, Rapp would be an intriguing fit and a fine running mate to Minkah Fitzpatrick.