5 trade packages Steelers could accept for WR Chase Claypool
By Andrew Falce
Steelers could trade with Saints
Similar to the Packers, the Saints find themselves in salary-cap purgatory as recent manipulation has left them nearly 80 million dollars in the hole. While shedding a rookie contract won’t make or break their cap space, there is a chance that center Erik McCoy gets dealt this offseason. The reasoning isn’t due to his play, which has been excellent, but due to his inflated cap hit this season as well as the fact that the team likely won’t be able to retain him past this season.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are in desperate need of interior line help. Kendrick Green was a disaster last season and Trai Turner is a pending free agent. Getting McCoy would alleviate a lot of the questions this team has. He is capable to play anywhere along the interior, meaning the team can keep their options open in free agency and in the draft still. As well, he would instantly be the best talent on this line if traded for.
The Saints need receivers for their offense, and Claypool would provide a style of player that they are lacking. That said, a player-for-player swap here isn’t fair, as McCoy is easily the better of the two players. Thus, the Steelers give their conditional sixth-round pick they got from the Chiefs. This would be a huge addition for the team, as landing a starting capable interior lineman before free agency opened would go a long way in answering a lot of questions.
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While the Steelers can certainly give Claypool another season to develop some, trading him now gets more out of his value. The team saw Bush’s value regress last season and now are essentially stuck with him unless a good deal comes about. The team could be more proactive by flipping Claypool for one of these above deals.