The Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears did business in November when Omar Khan sent Chase Claypool to the Windy City for the 32nd overall pick. The two teams are being linked again in talks when it comes to Pittsburgh's potential interest in moving up to fill one of their remaining team needs. According to one team insider, the new Assistant General Manager's connections could have the Steelers jumping to pick 13 instead of nine.
Seth Wenig/AP
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas seen here worked with Steelers assistant general manager Andy Wiedl with two other organizations.
Steelers Assistant General Manager, Andy Weidl had a helping hand in landing several free agents this offseason, so Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pondered if his relationship with general manager Joe Douglas sparks up a trade between the two franchises.
"The one that people really aren't talking about is the New York Jets," Fittipaldo said during an appearance on the PM Team with Poni & Mueller. "Joe Douglas is close friends with Andy Weidl. They worked together with the Eagles and the Ravens. I forget who told me this, but someone said that's Andy's best friend in football, so they're really close. The Jets pick at number 13 so could that be a trading partner for the Steelers? The only thing that complicates that is the Jets also need a left tackle."
Penn State Athletics
Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo thinks Joey Porter Jr is in black and gold at Acrisure Stadium next year.
What Do The Steelers Want To Trade Up For?
While some are saying the team is looking to move up for top cornerback prospect, Christian Gonzalez of Oregon, Fittipaldo was told recently by ESPN's Todd McShay that he's heard Pittsburgh wants to go up for an offensive tackle. He also has a different opinion on which cornerback Pittsburgh would target.
"It's probably a bit of both in some realm," he said in reference to the rumors. "I guess they'd be trading up for Joey Porter Jr. They had Gonzalez in for a visit but you see him in the top ten all the time. Do you want to give 32 away just to get into the top ten when there's such a deep class of corners?"
The Steelers are doing scouting work on both positions as they have brought in top offensive tackle prospects in Georgia's Broderick Jones and Tennessee's Darnell Wright for visits and also sent personnel to the pro days of other top prospects like Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern's Peter Skornoski.
They've also heavily scouted Joey Porter Jr. which is why Fittipaldo could see them moving up for him. If the trade-up is for an offensive tackle, it's all about which one the team likes best based on their traits.
Andrew Ferguson / Tennessee Athletics
Steelers prospect, Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wight could be an option for the Steelers with the 17th overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
"It's going to come down to what flavor do you like," he said. "Do you lean towards the experience that Wright has and you're looking at a ten-year starter for you? He is solid and maybe makes a couple of Pro Bowls, whereas a guy like Jones has Pro Bowl and All-Pro potential, but it's a roll of the dice. There's not much on his resume. You'd have to get that out of him. I think Wright could be in consideration for the Steelers at 17."
Whether the Steelers decide to move up in the draft or stay at pick 17, it looks like the team should be able to find some solid future players.
What position would you target if you were trading up? Do you like a move up for Porter Jr.? Comment below!
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