The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams for a couple of draft pick swaps.
Pittsburgh has overhauled their offensive line since the start of last offseason, bringing in players like center Mason Cole and guard James Daniels via free agency. They also drafted Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson, while signing Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig this offseason in free agency. It's safe to assume Dotson would have been a depth chart stash at best, and assuming Pittsburgh was able to get something in return, the trade makes a lot of sense from their perspective.
Still, the Steelers have just a few days to whittle the depth chart down to 53 players. We have a good idea of where they should start given some excellent depth at key positions, specifically in the trenches and, surprisingly, behind center.
Steelers Rumors: Kendrick Green is still on the chopping block
Kendrick Green has not handled himself well this preseason. From failing to step up to the challenge of a position switch in training camp, to bad holding penalties and QB pressures allowed in preseason games, Green has been downright bad.
But don't tell the former third-round pick that. Green went after a Pittsburgh-area radio host for pointing out one of Green's misplays on social media, sending him a direct message with a correction. On the surface, Green wasn't necessarily wrong about the play in question, but he did miss the broader point -- it was just one of several errors he made in the preseason.
As FanSided's Scott Rogust points out, trading Dotson does give Green more of a chance to make the Steelers initial 53-man roster, but it's no guarantee:
"The Steelers have their top guards on the roster in Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, and James Daniels, so there were only so many spots available. It seems like the Rams' offer for Dotson was too good for the Steelers to pass on. While this is good news for Green, it's not exactly a lock that he will make the roster. We will wait until the Steelers officially announce their 53-man roster after the Tuesday deadline."
Pittsburgh cannot trust Green along their offensive line, but perhaps he can perform better elsewhere. He has experience playing at least 2-3 positions along the offensive line, and the Steelers never really gave him much of a chance at guard, his natural spot.
Steelers Rumors: Montravius Adams or Armon Watts could be traded by Tuesday
Pittsburgh's defensive line depth was tested this preseason, and by all accounts they passed with flying colors. Montravius Adams, for one, has embraced the competition in training camp and largely succeeded. As a veteran run-stuffer who can make some noise on passing downs as well, he could be a wise pickup from a team that is lacking defensive line depth. Adams has approached this preseason the right way, and understands the business of the NFL
"Regardless of if you know guys are going to get cut, that's stuff that has to happen – it's a business – but for the most part, guys are just here to get better and help the next man,"Adams said. "So I feel like, being here, you don't feel that the way you do with other teams."
Adams has enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh, stating that the coaching staff did a good job of mixing in depth players, and giving them valuable reps.
"When I'm with the Steelers, I don't really see or feel nothing as a competition," Adams said. "Like, at the end of the day, I feel like everything here is about the team body of work."
Unfortunately for Adams and/or Watts, it's that same body of work that could get them dealt elsewhere.
Steelers Rumors: It's time to finally trade a QB
Mason Rudolph has been on the chopping block for quite some time now. While Rudolph was once drafted to be the heir-apparent to Ben Roethlisberger, he didn't make the most of his reps, and now sits as a worst-case scenario third stringer behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.
Rudolph could serve as a dependable veteran backup for some teams, but he's wasting away in Pittsburgh after losing the QB competition in last year's training camp. Rudolph isn't a real threat to take practice reps away from Trubisky, who in large part proved he can be a dependable starter in Matt Canada's offense if Pickett were to go down with an injury.
Rudolph has a refreshing approach in training camp this offseason. Rather than brooding about his lost opportunity, Rudolph instead has relished the opportunity to compete for reps, and bond with teammates.
"Yeah, it's probably the most fun I had in the quarterback room thus far in my career," Rudolph said, per the Breakfast with Benz podcast. "Just get along so well, that was a factor (of why he re-signed with Pittsburgh). Obviously, knowing the offense, just the comfortability of this place...I think anytime wouldn't you want to go to work with someone you enjoy spending time with? I think we all would."
As much as Rudolph may be fitting in, there are plenty of quarterback-needy teams out there. Expect Omar Khan to do his due diligence and see if he can find a suitor for a veteran QB under contract. Rudolph has played in meaningful games, and proven he can compete at the highest level.
