Like most teams in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a roster surplus. Thankfully, GM Omar Khan can do something about that.
Pittsburgh's NFL Draft class was considered to be one of the best in the league for a reason, but it could also push several veterans out the door. If the Steelers are smart — and Omar Khan is one of the better young front office executives in football — they can flip some of their talent surplus for late-round draft choices in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh traded up for Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones in the draft. While a massive figure, it's fair to assume he might start the season on the bench behind Dan Moore Jr., who has had an impressive camp. This makes Moore — a player who could fetch a nice return if available — rather unavailable, and instead a necessity for the Steelers weak offensive line.
The Steelers have decent depth at the skill positions, quarterback and even defensive back after selecting Joey Porter Jr. But who can (and should) they trade away?
NFL Rumors: Steelers should trade away a tight end
My money is on Zach Gentry, as he plays a very similar style to Darnell Washington out of Georgia. Pittsburgh selected Mount Washington, as he's known around these parts, in a surprising selection given their depth at tight end. Pat Freiermuth is the future at the position, and should start for years to come. However, Washington offers Kenny Pickett another large target, and he can run block as well. Why, exactly, does Mike Tomlin still need Gentry?
Familiarity is nice, the Gentry has that with the Steelers system, but he's a decent blocking tight end who can make plays in the red zone. Surely he has some value on the market, even if it's for a conditional seventh-round pick. Something is better than nothing.
NFL Rumors: Steelers should trade away a veteran QB
Mitchell Trubisky would have higher value on the trade market, so there's a high possibility Omar Khan would shop him to QB-needy teams towards the end of training camp, barring an injury. Trubisky played well at times in 2022, but was benched in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett. Now that the Steelers are Pickett's team, there's no looking back for Mitch, who is fine taking the backup reps in Pittsburgh until his contract runs out. Quarterbacks are highly-valued, especially one who has shown the flashes Trubisky has. If a starter goes down, expect teams to call Khan.
Mason Rudolph is another QB with starting experience who is wasting away on the depth chart. There is a non-zero chance the Steelers will cut Rudolph at the end of training camp, but for now he seems to have bought into the system. Last offseason, that was not the case, as Rudolph had plenty to say about Pittsburgh's front office and the perception that he was led astray.
Rudolph was formerly the backup to Ben Roethlisberger — perhaps even brought in to replace him out of Oklahoma State — but those days are long gone. Pittsburgh would be wise to get what they can for Rudolph, who deserves an opportunity as a second stringer.
NFL Rumors: Steelers should trade away this former All-Pro
During his time with the New England Patriots, Gunner Olszewski was a special teams ace and a productive return man. Heck, he even made the NFL All-Pro team in 2020. After one more season with the Pats, Olszewski hit the free-agent market with a chance to cash in and prove his worth.
The only problem was a simple one — Olszewski and the Steelers thought he could be something he's not. Olszewski isn't the first player to take on a role that doesn't necessarily fit him. As a punt and kick return man, Olszewski was productive enough to receive consistent playing time. As a slot receiver, though, he simply did not fit in Matt Canada's offensive scheme.
Now with a crowded wide receiver room, it's tough to see Olszewski receiving reps ahead of Calvin Austin, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Diontae Johnson and more. The Steelers have a solid group. Not to mention, Austin is listed as the primary punt and kick return man.
Exactly where does Olszewski fit on this roster? Trade him while you still can.
NFL Rumors: Steelers cannot afford to trade Dan Moore Jr.
I said it before and I'll say it again — by most accounts, Dan Moore Jr. has had a better training camp than Broderick Jones. That's not exactly a shocker, as Moore has seniority and Jones is learning on the fly. But for now, the Steelers cannot afford to trade Moore away.
Moore has experience at several positions along the offensive line, making him immensely valuable to a Pittsburgh team that has struggled at times to win the line of scrimmage. Yet, late last year, the Steelers were finally able to establish their running game, and it resulted in an undermanned group led by a rookie QB which almost made the playoffs. If Moore and the Pittsburgh offensive front can repeat that success in 2023, who knows what they're capable of?
The best version of the Steelers offensive line in the years to come could feature both Jones and Moore, with the rookie hopefully fulfilling expectations and Moore moved to a different position. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic wrote a scathing review of Jones training camp a few weeks back. While he has improved some since then, it wasn't a good look for the rookie:
"Dan Moore Jr. looks good. Probably because he has 34 starts (including playoffs) in two years. Meanwhile, Jones' head looks like it is swimming. Well, at least to me.
When it comes to what the Steelers should and eventually will do at left tackle when they open the season next month, we tend to look at the big picture way more than the here and now. That's wrong."
Jones will be fine, but Moore is better and well ahead of pace. Don't force Jones into action just because he's a first-round selection.
