With training camp just around the corner, here are three Steelers that the team could try and trade away.
The Steelers have a very new roster in front of them now, as longtime staples have left the team. That said, despite this being an offseason of change, there are some players who could be dealt. While the team doesn’t always trade players away, under a new GM we could see some changes to how business is typically done. Here are three Steelers that could get dealt during training camp.
Steelers Gilbert
To be clear, the Steelers only have one really valuable trade chip in their pocket right now. That could feasibly change once camp opens and players start to move up or down the depth chart. That said, there are some positions that are pretty deep right now and as a result, a player there could be dealt to fill out another team’s depth chart.
The first name that you could circle could be Ulysees Gilbert. The former sixth-round pick had a strong start to his career in his first training camp. He was all over the field and a force on special teams. Injuries have since derailed his career, although he did see some time again on special teams last season.
Now, he enters a linebacker room that is extremely crowded. While his special teams ability is a perk, the team has a slew of options that could fill that role. They may opt for the potential-filled option like Buddy Johnson or even the unproven rookie Mark Robinson. The team has a lot of options here, so it makes sense to try and flip one of their linebackers for a late pick.
Steelers Davis
At one point in time, Carlos Davis was a potential solution to the Steelers nose tackle question. While only a seventh-round pick with limited playing time, he looked good as a reserve. While Tyson Alualu was unquestionably the team’s guy at nose tackle, most expected Davis to become a primary backup. Injuries kept him off the field though last year and now the team seems to have moved on.
Due to a lack of able bodies, the Steelers brought in Montravious Adams last season, and he looked great in a limited role. He did enough to earn a substantial new contract and is now seemingly entrenched as the top reserve. That leaves Davis in a tricky spot, as he is the seventh defensive line option on a team that usually only carries six players there.
Now, injuries could always derail this unit again and force the team to carry Davis. That said, he is currently on the outside looking in for the team. The defensive line is a valuable position where other teams are far less deep than the Steelers. Davis could fetch a late-round pick as a result. Unless he really makes himself uncuttable, the team could look to trade him in training camp.
Steelers Johnson
Let me be clear and upfront: the odds that Diontae Johnson gets dealt aren’t high. More than likely, the team keeps him through the final year of his rookie deal and either tags him or lets him walk next season. That said, if all of the right pieces fall into place, trading Johnson would actually make a good deal of sense.
For starters, the rookie receivers would have to be showing out in camp in order for this trade to go through. While the early reports on George Pickens have been promising, he isn’t at the point where he could take over for Johnson quite yet. If he comes on faster than expected though, allowing him to play his natural X spot and trading Johnson away to the highest bidder wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Johnson is likely wanting a big contract akin to what other top receivers have been paid this season. The Steelers, meanwhile, don’t have a strong track record of paying out big-time second contracts to receivers. If the team gets a good offer for Johnson, moving him in favor of one of the rookies is a logical step. The team can fetch a quality pick in next year’s draft as well as alleviate the need to pay Johnson big money.
While the team doesn’t have a lot of tradeable assets, there are some that would make sense for the team to move on from. If the price is right and the necessary replacements show up at camp, these three Steelers could see themselves traded away after camp rolls around.