Steelers Have An Intriguing Trade Partner For CB Emerging In The NFC

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering training camp with some very deep positional groups. Depth is always a great thing for a team, but sometimes an organization can hold too many players at one position, hurting a team’s depth in other areas. Pittsburgh is currently dealing with a few groups that may require some difficult decisions to be made.

One group is quarterback, which is stirring up controversy on who will get cut or traded between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Some suggest that the Steelers will roster four, but that may cause problems across the rest of the roster. 

The other position that Pittsburgh has a surplus in is cornerback. They arguably have six or seven guys that deserve to make the roster. With expensive players in Jalen Ramsey and soon-to-be-paid Joey Porter Jr., this room should get above average play, while mixing guys like Ramsey around the defense in different spots. With these players headlining the unit, Pittsburgh may try to capitalize on this abundance of talent in the cornerback room with a trade to a team that needs help in that position.

Jim Wexell talked about a trade idea with the Detroit Lions, stating that they need help at corner and listed a name that might get dealt on the Steel City Insider Podcast.

"Look how deep they are at corner," Wexell stated. "I’d hate to trade one of those guys away. You know, even Brandin Echols. I’d hate to trade one of those guys away to like Detroit, who’s in desperate need of a cornerback right now."

The Steelers are in a position where they don't want to get rid of these players because what if an injury happens or they need a change. They have plenty of options to switch in and out depending on the circumstances, but with how many there are, they might be able to make a trade with a guy like Brandin Echols. 

With a trade involving him, it wouldn't completely spoil the depth Pittsburgh has built. He will probably serve as a backup to Ramsey at nickel, but they could try a younger, more promising option like Donte Kent. It's one of those things where the Steelers need to decide what's more important to them: a more established backup, or an up-and-coming late-round draft pick that they can continue to develop. This defense is getting old all around. They need to find ways to get younger for when these veterans slow down and retire. Additionally, they could experiment with other guys, such as Daylen Everette. 

The Steelers’ recent development of defensive backs makes fans feel comfortable that a trade wouldn't entirely spoil Pittsburgh's chances of winning if an injury occurs, or Ramsey needs a breather. They may need to get creative to open more spots on the roster for other positions though. If they want to roster four quarterbacks so Howard and Drew Allar can continue to develop with Mike McCarthy, then this may be a position they trim down. 

Porter's contract talk may play a major role in actually trading away a cornerback. If he decides to test free agency to attempt to secure a massive contract when his current deal is done, then Pittsburgh may want to keep as many options as possible. If they manage to extend him now, then trading away a depth piece would be easier to do for the organization.

Steelers' Brandin Echols Now A Trade Option For Lions

The Lions may be willing to overpay for a corner from the Steelers and Echols may be the player that it takes to make something happen. Depending on what dominos fall in Pittsburgh, a deal has a possibility of happening. 

Detroit is an early option that Wexell believes could use a defensive back. Let's see if the Steelers can get something done. 

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