The Pittsburgh Steelers roster has some obvious flaws as we sit here today.  Some of those will be filled in by veterans cut from other rosters.  There are a few Steelers trades that we would like to propose however.  Here are three trades that make a lot of sense for this team:

1.  Deion Jones for a 5th round pick:

A lot has been talked and written about the possibility of the Steelers acquiring Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears.  The problem there is that Chicago will undoubtedly be looking for quite a haul in return.  Atlanta on the other hand, would be willing to almost give Deion Jones away.  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/02/report-falcons-have-tried-and-failed-to-trade-deion-jones/

Jones counts for $20 million against the Falcons salary cap, of which they would save only $1 million by cutting him. A trade would give Atlanta almost $10 million in cap relief, so you can see the motivation in a trade versus an outright release.

Deion Jones is a former Pro-Bowl linebacker (2017) who has recorded over 100 tackles in five of his six seasons in the league.  This is a player with 11 career interceptions, and five defensive touchdowns.

So what’s the rub you ask?  Well, first and foremost is the salary.  Jones would cost the Steelers nearly $10 million in salary.  Second, this is a player coming off his worst season as a pro with a 34.6 PFF grade for 2021.  For those of you who don’t put great stock in PFF grades, Jones did have 137 tackles on a bad Atlanta defense last season.  There is also a shoulder surgery to be concerned about.  It has caused Jones to miss all of the Falcons off-season activities so far.  Reports are he is working hard in rehab, and should be ready for the season opener.

Even with all that riding against Deion Jones, we still feel this would be a better acquisition than Roquan Smith.  The cost in terms of assets would be far less, and the return could be equal or better with Jones.

2. Mason Rudolph to the Lions for a 5th round pick:

And just like that, the Steelers could easily recoup their fifth round pick.  The rumors have been swirling all week that the Lions have interest in Mason Rudolph.  If this is true, Pittsburgh should absolutely pull the trigger.

3.  A fourth round pick for K’Lavon Chaisson:

There’s a new regime in Jacksonville, and they have already replaced K’Lavon Chaisson on the depth chart.  The Jaguars drafted Javon Walker number one overall in the 2022 draft, essentially making Chaisson expendable.

If you have read any of our 53 man roster predictions, or listened to any of our podcasts, you’d know we have been begging this team to bring in another pass rusher.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981237

Chaisson has had a pretty uneventful career thus far in the NFL.  He has not lived up to his 20th overall selection in his two years in the league.  Yet there is still plenty to be intrigued  by with this player.  When you watch Chaisson’s final year at LSU, there is plenty to be excited about.  He had 6.5 sacks, and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2019.  Maybe a change of scenery is exactly what this player needs.  He would certainly be an upgrade over what this team currently has behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith.