The Pittsburgh Steelers are already staring down a trade deadline that could see at least one player packing their bags. ESPN's Bill Barnwell just dropped a bombshell, scanning all 32 NFL rosters to pinpoint players worth at least a first-round pick in a trade, and the Steelers have six guys on that list. With players carrying bloated salaries and plenty of depth behind them, it makes sense why they'd be looking to move some pieces.
Six Names on the Block and One Big Question Mark
Barnwell's deep dive identified six Steelers players who could fetch a first-round pick: cornerback Joey Porter Jr., center Zach Frazier, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, edge defender Nick Herbig, and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. It's a pretty stacked list, but the immediate reaction has some serious questions brewing. Joey Porter Jr. is the one guy who *could* actually be traded, especially if the team can't hammer out a contract extension. That's a huge "if" hanging over the locker room. But here's the real kicker: Keeanu Benton. Seriously? We're talking about a first-round pick here, and honestly, it's tough to see any team coughing that up. Benton hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in his career so far, and there's even talk he might lose reps to Yahya Black this season. That's not exactly screaming "high trade value," is it? Meanwhile, Frazier, Fautanu, Harmon, and Herbig are considered cornerstones of the roster. There's just no scenario where the Steelers would deal any of those four for a single pick. They're too vital to the foundation.Core Players and the Watt/Metcalf Curveball
It's interesting who *isn't* on Barnwell's list, too. T.J. Watt and DK Metcalf were both noted as exclusions. While we totally agree on Metcalf not being a first-round trade target right now, the Watt situation is different. You gotta wonder if a desperate team out there, one really needing an elite edge rusher, wouldn't throw a first-round pick at Pittsburgh for Watt if the Steelers were willing to eat some of his massive contract. That's a huge chunk of change, but Watt's impact is undeniable. So, where does this leave the Steelers as the season rolls on toward the trade deadline? They've got some high-value players, sure, but the reality check on guys like Benton is a big concern. Will Porter Jr. get an extension or be on the move? These are the kinds of questions that will define Pittsburgh's early season narrative, and how they manage these assets could totally shape their year. It's going to be wild to watch how this plays out.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.