Grade the trade: Mock trade has Steelers pulling off a blockbuster move
Training camp might be dominating the headlines for the Steelers, but they remain in trade rumors. A recent report suggested Pittsburgh is still doing its best to try and acquire a top receiver before the start of the regular season. Names like DK Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, and Tyreek Hill were dropped as potential options if trade prices come down.
Aiyuk remains the top trade target for most rumors surrounding the Steelers. He needs a new contract and remains on the sidelines at the 49ers training camp as he awaits a new deal. At some point, someone needs to budge. Either he gets some raise in San Francisco, or he gets traded somewhere else. The thought of him going to Pittsburgh won’t go away.
David Lombardi and The Athletic staff wrote a piece about hypothetical trade proposals for Aiyuk.
Six offers were formed from six different NFL teams, including the Steelers. One thing is for sure, Lombardi and the staff believe the asking price remains high.
Steelers acquire 49ers Brandon Aiyuk at a hefty price in mock trade
Seems like an expensive price for the Steelers to pay for a top receiver in the NFL.
Players with Aiyuk’s pedigree don’t grow on trees, so realistically, Pittsburgh would have to give up some quality assets for the 49ers to entertain a trade. Technically San Francisco doesn’t need to move Aiyuk, but the tension between the player and team is starting to mount. One would have to imagine if the black and gold offered this, a trade would already be made official.
Mark Kaboly, who covers the Steelers for the Athletic, wrote about how this deal could make some sense.
“Second-year guy Nick Herbig seems primed to be a big-time pass rusher waiting in the wings, but he’s still an unknown long term.”
The depth at outside linebacker is thin beyond Nick Herbig. Removing Alex Highsmith from the equation could only heighten those concerns. Herbig had a solid rookie campaign, but it is unknown how he would handle a starting role in his second year. Including Highsmith in this deal could prove to be a costly gamble for the Steelers.
Beyond Highsmith, Pittsburgh included their starting left tackle, which many fans might like the thought of.
“The Steelers could sweeten the deal by adding Moore, who has 49 career starts in three seasons but is in a contract year and has become expendable with the team drafting two first-round tackles the past two years.”
Including Dan Moore Jr. makes a ton of sense. San Francisco could use some help at tackle either at depth or pushing for a starting spot. Moore has a ton of starting experience and could help the 49ers this season before he becomes a free agent. Pittsburgh has two young tackles that they invested first-round selections in, so they need to play as soon as possible.
Overall, this mock trade is alright. Giving up Highsmith stings, but if Herbig takes another step then it could be for the best. Getting rid of Moore might be the best part of this trade as it helps bring in a top receiver. You have to give something to get something, but the Steelers would be giving up two starters for a receiver and a sixth-round selection.
Not a terrible idea, but one would hope a trade between the Steelers and the 49ers would see the asking price go down.
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