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After the Pittsburgh Steelers signed unrestricted free agent running back LaRod Stephens-Howling and drafted running back Le’Veon Bell in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, some of the team’s current backs are now expendable. It has been reported that the Steelers are considering trading running back Jonathan Dwyer.
Dwyer was the team’s leading rusher last season and is in a contract year with Pittsburgh. If a trade does actually happen, the Steelers will probably get a sixth or seventh-round pick in return at best.
The fact that Pittsburgh would potentially trade one of their running backs doesn’t surprise me one bit. What was once a thin running back corps has all of a sudden become somewhat crowded. I thought Baron Batch would be the one that would be more prone to leave the Steel City but looking at it from a financial point of view, it makes sense to part ways with Dwyer.
More importantly, this could make up for missing out on the extra draft pick that Pittsburgh would have gotten from the New England Patriots had they decided not to match the offer for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. In the event that a trade does happen, the Steelers could add more depth at linebacker, wide receiver, or safety.
With or without Dwyer in Pittsburgh’s backfield, the running game should be much better than it was last season. Bell will only add to the Steelers’ power-running attack along with Isaac Redman, while Stephens-Howling will bring a much-needed change of pace on the ground.
If this trade somehow happens, the Steelers will greatly benefit from it.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller, or add him to your network on Google
