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Steelers Potential Trade Bait

Entering into a year that the Steelers don’t have an excess of draft capitol, fantasies of trading back or trading players for picks begin to sprout up as a way to compensate. While it takes two to make deal, the Steelers do have some players that could prove to be valuable trade chips this off season. While any trading would likely happen after the draft, below are the players I believe the team should shop around.

Jaylen Samuels

Samuels has likely reached his ceiling in the NFL, that being a RB who is more of a threat catching the ball than running with it. That type of a player can serve a role in any offense, but he underwhelmed with Pittsburgh in his second season. With Ben coming back and Conner and Snell set to lead the RB room, Samuels may be on the outside looking in with the team. Conner, when healthy, can catch. Snell less so. Whyte is the front runner to be the kick returner this year and could see more of a transition into a pass catching role. I think about the Titans, who have a bull named Derrick Henry as their lead back supplementing him with a back that can catch in Samuels. Samuels is much cheaper than Dion Lewis and could function as a safety valve for the QB. His value isn’t high, but he could help us move up a round.

Projected trade: Samuels and our 6th for Titans 5th

Vance McDonald

McDonald is in a weird limbo with the team. His contract can be opted out of, or he could be retained and cut for the same amount of savings later on. My guess is the team will bring him back initially, as it will allow the team not to overspend or draft a TE. A trade would be more likely to happen later on, closer to the start of the new season. If the team adds a vet (or resigns Vannett) and drafts a TE early, McDonald may be traded or cut as a result. Buffalo drafted a good looking young TE in Knox this past year but could look to add McDonald as a number two. Again, this is likely to come later in the off season, but his name could certainly be floated out there.

Projected trade: McDonald for the Bills 6th

Ryan Switzer

This one is the most unlikely of them all, but Switzer is a sure, albeit unspectacular returner. With Whyte seemingly set to take over as kick returner, Switzer doesn’t have much of a role in Pittsburgh anymore. Considering Carolina was one of the worst returning teams in the NFL, they may offer a late round pick for a steady presence back there. While unlikely, Switzer could be moved for next to nothing.

Projected trade: Switzer for the Panthers 2021 7th

Chukwuma Okorafor

Chukes couldn’t beat out Feiler for the RT position. He couldn’t beat out Banner to be the swing tackle. While he looked ok as a rookie and in limited snaps this year, he could easily be moved. The big if here would be with what happens with Ramon Foster. If Foster is retained, Chukes best case is likely beating out Banner for the swing tackle spot (something he couldn’t do this year. With Derwin Grey set to be in camp again and the likely addition of a draft pick on the line, Chukes could be dealt to a needy team. Even better, OL have great value on the trade market. The Dolphins are desperate for OL help. While they have a plethora of resources to add in players, they could potentially need a starter at every level on the line. Chukes could come in and at least hold down the RT spot for them year one while they evaluate his long term potential.

Projected trade: Chukes for the Dolphins 5th and 2021 6th


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