The linebacker position remains an area of weakness for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The room got completely revamped during the 2023 offseason as Mark Robinson is the only notable guy returning from the 2022 roster. The group was inconsistent in 2022, so it was time for a change. In turn, the front office found two starters in free agency when the organization signed Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts.
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Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson figures to have a much bigger role in 2023.
The pair has 124 career starts between them so it's logical to expect them to be the two starters in Week 1. With Organized Team Activities (OTAs) now underway, many still believe the team may address the position before training camp. There are three open roster spots and plenty of options on the market. Deion Jones, Kwon Alexander and even Myles Jack are some notable free agents out there. Bleacher Report's Joe Tansey has an idea on the trade market in the form of Isaiah Simmons.
"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. 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. If he does not star in 2023, they could let him walk and only burn a Day 3 draft pick in the process."
Simmons hasn't lived up to the hype surrounding his status coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals took him eighth overall and he was expected to be the perfect prototype for the modern-day linebacker. That is one with speed and versatility to play all over the field. As Tansey mentions, Simmons is set to hit free agency after the 2023 season.
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The Cardinals signed Kyzir White this offseason, which could leave the door open for a possible Isaiah Simmons trade to the Steelers.
The Cardinals declined the defender's fifth-year option in early 2023. That could make his trade value come quite cheap, but the team did invest a high pick in him just a few years ago. Arizona did sign Kyzir White this offseason, which could make them more likely to give up the former first-rounder. Tansey speculates it would only cost a Day 3 draft pick, which would make a trade worth it.
This potential trade should be something the Steelers entertain. It could be the ultimate buy-low move for Pittsburgh, and Simmons brings something the team doesn't currently have. Holcomb and Roberts are both seen as thumpers and not necessarily effective in pass coverage. Simmons has the speed and athleticism to cover and move around all over the field. It's something the team tried doing with Devin Bush. At first, it seemed like it was going according to plan.
After Bush's eventual ACL surgery, he was never able to return to the same player. Before that, Ryan Shazier was on track to be one of the best linebackers in team history. Like Simmons (and Bush), he brought a unique speed to the second level that appeals to many teams nowadays when looking for a linebacker. At this point, Simmons is more than just a linebacker, which was his main appeal coming out of Clemson.
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Steelers former linebacker Devin Bush was a big part of the group's underperforming 2022 campaign.
He has proven to be a very good pass rusher while struggling to struggle the run. In fact, Pro Football Focus listed Simmons as a cornerback in 2022, where he ranked 39th out of 118 qualifiers. His weakness is Holcomb and Roberts' main strengths so this group could complement each other well. Simmons could even slot into the secondary at times. In three years, he has four interceptions, 7.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and 16 pass deflections.
For the other two trade ideas, offensive tackles Terence Steele and Yosh Nijman were suggested as possible targets. This doesn't make too much sense as the team's tackle depth seems pretty solidified after the selection of Broderick Jones. Dan Moore Jr. is likely to stay in Pittsburgh even if he loses the starting job to Jones, and he would be a good backup at that. On the other side, Chukwuma Okorafor will start at right tackle.
What do you think about these trade ideas? Should the team pursue a versatile defender like Simmons? What would you give up for him? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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