The Steelers are getting closer to the deadline to chop their roster size to the 53-man limit which goes into effect on Tuesday. Plenty of movement has already happened with the team announcing a bunch of cuts well before the deadline. On top of those cuts that have seen players looking for a new home, there has also been a trade that was completed between the Steelers and the LA Rams.
Kevin Dotson was traded to the Rams which gave Pittsburgh an exchange of mid-round picks in the next two drafts. That is quality value for a guy who does not have any position flexibility and would likely have not seen any playing time unless a bunch of injuries occurred. The NFL is very active right now and the black and gold could still look to make trades to add upgrades to their roster.
The Steelers could look to deal their backup punter before roster cuts
Most do not expect a specialist to get traded when you look at the roster construction of this team. Braden Mann has done a good job of pushing Pressley Harvin III during training camp, but he was not able to beat him. Harvin will be the punter for the Steelers in week one and that will make Mann a cut candidate if the club cannot find a trade partner.
A trade requires a dance partner to complete a deal and that is where the unknown about Mann arises. He has a good chunk of NFL experience and was good enough to be on an NFL roster this preseason for the most part. If a club comes calling it would be an easy decision for the Steelers to give him up for next to nothing.
Armon Watts could be a nice trade piece if Pittsburgh decides to move on
After signing with the Steelers earlier this offseason, Armon Watts's future is brought into question. There are a lot of talented players across the defensive line from the top of the depth chart to the bottom. Many of those that are released by Pittsburgh will have a future home in the NFL waiting, but that could be a great opportunity for the black and gold.
Right now, it is still unknown the type of configuration that Pittsburgh will settle on with their defensive line. The competition has been fierce and the coaches for the team have been open about the fact that they will have to cut an NFL level player or two in the trenches. Watts still has a shot at making this roster during the time of writing this article.
It seems like the club will keep either six or seven linemen with four spots already being locked up. It seems like Breiden Fehoko is another possible lock to make this team too. That leaves one or two spots open and the likes of Watts, Montravius Adams, and Isaiahh Loudermilk are all fighting for those openings.
Watts seems like the odd man out right now despite playing well during the preseason and also doing well during training camp. Adams has been rumored as a guy who could be a potential shocker when final cuts roll through, which is getting Watts some potential to make this team. The depth across the defensive trenches is strong and that should get some value back in a trade.
The loser of the slot cornerback competition could be traded away
Another avenue that the club could investigate is the possibility of the loser of their slot cornerback competition getting shipped out of town. The Steelers have seen two worthy candidates battle for the starting role in the slot on defense. It could all mean little with Patrick Peterson seemingly filling that void in certain schematic scenarios.
Both Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley have been neck and neck in this race for this spot on the roster. Sullivan is the more experienced of the two and would likely be the safer bet moving forward. Riley has just started in that role for the first time in his NFL career but has done an admirable job throughout the preseason process.
Keeping both is still the safest option and that seems like what the Steelers will end up doing. Another choice that might be an unforeseen opportunity is looking into what either could fetch you on the trade market. It might not lead to a deal, but it would be interesting to see what a slot cornerback would fetch to a needy team.
Sullivan would probably fetch more trade offers because of his vast experience in the slot. His overall quality there throughout his career has never been great. He can fill that void on a defense and do a good enough job when called upon. Keeping both Sullivan and Riley is probably the likeliest option of happening, but it could change if a trade offer is too enticing to pass by.
Zach Gentry might lose the numbers game to stay on the roster
Another situation that seems to be obviously going one way but could lean in another direction soon. There is a lot of movement going on in the NFL and even though certain players might make the final 53-man roster initially, that does not mean that will be cemented into the future. Rosters in the NFL change all of the time.
Zach Gentry has been a solid blocking option for the Steelers offense over the past couple of seasons. He had a great game against the Falcons and showed his strengths that he brings to this team. With Darnell Washington on the team, Gentry's role has become less important. It seems like his roster spot is still safe for now.
Much like Sullivan or Riley, it could get interesting if a team were to engage in trade talks with Pittsburgh. They are perfectly okay with keeping Gentry, but they would be foolish to not listen to offers on him. Connor Heyward is another reason why Gentry could be finding a new home soon. Heyward can play three different positions for this club.
That position flexibility might allow for another roster player at another position to fill a spot that would be left vacant by Gentry's trade. It seems like the club will move into the regular season with four players at the position. It is going to be hard to find Gentry playing time especially as the calendar goes further. The Steelers should listen and be open to the idea of trading him.
Montravius Adams could be moved by the Steelers with his value
The Montravius Adams situation is close to what is going on with Armon Watts as described earlier in the article. There is too much talent at the defensive line part of the roster to keep all of them on the team. The Steelers will have to make some tough choices about which players they prioritize moving forward and how many they can keep.
Adams does provide some different qualities that Watts does not possess. He can play both at nose tackle and at defensive tackle if needed. He has experience at both spots whereas Watts has really only played at the tackle spot. That gives Adams the edge to probably win the last spot on the roster unless Isaiahh Loudermilk comes out of nowhere.
It seems like the coaches like the idea of keeping Loudermilk around because of his age and his quality snaps against the run. Adams has more starting experience and seems like the best overall player to keep around if the club decides to only keep six for this group. Many are projecting seven players and it might be best to look at the player that would give you the most value in a trade.
It is such a close competition that you should move the player that gives you the best value in a trade. Adams would probably be the bigger fish for the Steelers to try and trade at the market before final cuts come through. Adams has the experience, position flexibility, and young age that teams will probably find interesting this time of year.