Steelers Could Fill A Draft Need After A Big Name Running Back Hits The Trade Block

The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking for the most efficient ways to boost their team. If they feel like they can acquire an impact player without giving much up in terms of draft capital, they will usually make that deal in a heartbeat, barring other circumstances. Of course, they are still willing to make the big, splashy moves, as General Manager Omar Khan has shown his willingness to be aggressive during his short tenure in that role. He can make the flashy deals, and he will also do some under-the-radar trades. 

Khan may have the chance to make both types of moves at once: acquiring a big name for relatively cheap. Josina Anderson reported that there is a young, impact player that is on the trade block: Breece Hall. 

Hall is a former second-round pick of the New York Jets. In his rookie year, he showed some high-end burst and acceleration before suffering a season-ending injury. While he has not eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in a single season yet, he has easily surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards in both of his healthy seasons, as he has proven to be a very efficient receiver out of the backfield.

While Hall's rushing totals do not look very impressive, some of that can be chalked up to the poor offensive line in front of him. It is very rare to find a running back that can thrive without a quality unit blocking for him, so it's safe to say that he most likely has not reached his full potential yet, and that he may need a change of scenery to become what the Jets thought he would be when they selected him. 

The Steelers have spent the previous two years loading up on offensive linemen in the draft and in free agency. The interior line has especially been great for the team, and that can open up holes for any back in the league. If they could squeeze out 2,000 all-purpose yards from their running backs in a season, they could really thrive with a young back like Hall.

The Steelers already have a similar player on the team in Jaylen Warren, but the franchise may not exactly trust him as a full-time starter. He has been electric in the changeup role during his career, and it seems like they want to keep him in that spot. Warren does have a little more power, which could be just enough of a difference to make Khan make this move. 

The Steelers are obviously targeting a running back, as they have brought in nine of them for a Top 30 visit -- with most of them being options with their third-round pick. Depending on how the 2025 NFL Draft falls, they could be looking at a couple of players in the first round as well. If they can acquire Hall via trade, that makes it easier on them to skip on that position and address bigger needs on the team.

Steelers' Potential Trade Details

Hall is entering the final year of his deal, and with how well he has produced, he would likely want an extension from whichever team acquires him. In fact, contract disputes could be the reason he is available via trade in the first place. The only question there would be if the Steelers are willing to give him what he wants, or if they would just treat him like a rental.

Hall is still young and electric, as he will turn 24 at the end of May. However, running backs usually have short shelf lives, so giving up a top pick would not be ideal in this situation. A likely scenario is that the Steelers can't get a running back they want in the first round, so they make a draft-day trade to pick up Hall, while giving up one of their mid-round picks and, if needed, another pick from 2026.

What do you think about the Steelers potentially trading for Hall? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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