The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed the lack of depth behind edge rushers, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith ahead of roster cuts Tuesday afternoon. According to multiple reports, the organization is sending late-round draft compensation to acquire Denver Broncos outside linebacker, Malik Reed. This particular position was one of the most important to address this week for the Steelers.
Trade: Broncos sending LB Malik Reed to the Pittsburgh Steelers for late draft-pick compensation, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2022
The Steelers are sending a 6th round pick and will receive Reed and a 7th rounder in return. Reed is entering his fourth season in the NFL and started 34 games for the Broncos in that time frame. He now will serve as the primary backup for Watt and Highsmith and it gives the Steelers defense a little bit more breathing room in case of an unforeseen injury.
The linebacker started 13 games last year for Denver and had 43 total tackles, five sacks and three tackles for loss. He is a great addition and this is the perfect move for depth at the outside linebacker position. One of those sacks a year ago came against the Steelers and retired quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.
New #Steelers Linebacker Malik Reed strip sacked Ben Roethlisberger last season pic.twitter.com/2U8QL82Fd7
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) August 30, 2022
The move comes as bad news to roster hopeful, Hamilcar Rashed Jr. as he was making a push to be on the 53-man after the release of Gerard Avery last week. The trade for Reed essentially takes Rashed out of roster consideration.
Do you like the move by the Steelers to trade for Reed? Let us know in the comments below!
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