Steelers' latest trade rumor would solve a huge problem
The Steelers underwent sweeping changes at the inside linebacker position this offseason. But with the additions of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, the modern capability of those two will be stretched thin. That means that a more reliable coverage player could be in the mix, and being free agency is gone, maybe the best candidate […]
The Steelers underwent sweeping changes at the inside linebacker position this offseason.
But with the additions of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, the modern capability of those two will be stretched thin.
That means that a more reliable coverage player could be in the mix, and being free agency is gone, maybe the best candidate comes via trade.
Bleacher Report recently released an article centered around potential trades that could help the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. And while most of them were a stretch in my opinion, one name stood out above the rest:
Isaiah Simmons
Simmons was taken with the eighth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft by Arizona, but whether it be his own doing or the organization's misuse of his ability, he hasn't quite lived up to that billing. However, Bleacher Report and I see a scenario where that changes in Pittsburgh:
Isaiah Simmons has not lived up to his 2020 draft position. The No. 8 overall pick in that year's draft has 7.5 sacks in three seasons and one campaign with 70 solo tackles. Simmons needs a big season to increase his free-agent value, but he may go unrecognized on an Arizona Cardinals team expected to contend for the league's worst record. Pittsburgh could take a flier on the 24-year-old linebacker in a trade that should not cost much because of his impending free agency.
The Steelers could lose Alex Highsmith in free agency next offseason, so this would be a move to see what Simmons can do before signing him to a new contract, one that may be cheaper than a Highsmith extension. A potential Simmons deal would be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Steelers. If he does not star in 2023, they could let him walk and only burn a Day 3 draft pick in the process.
And I know I framed the Simmons trade as help at inside linebacker because in 2023 he would be. But as B.R. points out, the beauty of Simmons' game lies in his versatility, something Arizona has failed to capitalize on.
Simmons has played everywhere from off-ball linebacker, to pass rusher and even nickel corner, showing the propensity to succeed at all three. The reality is that he lacks the down-to-down consistency of a perennial Pro Bowler, but who's to say Mike Tomlin can't change that?
