Media by Associated Press – The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders line up at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Roster turnover around the NFL eventually catches up with every franchise. When teams lose players to retirement or free agency, there can be a quick panic and scramble to find a replacement. The most economical way to accomplish this is by getting help in the draft.
Here’s a look at three teams that might like to slide up and get a player who can immediately contribute.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Having future Hall of Famer Tom Brady retire for the second consecutive season once again leaves the Buccaneers looking for a man under center. Right now, Tampa Bay only has former second-round pick Kyle Trask on the roster. Currently, the Buccaneers are set to pick in the middle of the first round.
This is a class that is thought to be quarterback rich. If any of the quarterbacks Tampa Bay likes to slide down the board, this would be a good spot for the Buccaneers to hop in and try to find someone they like. Without some stability at quarterback, Tampa Bay may find itself slinking pack to the pack in the NFC. The Buccaneers will want to try and restock the shelves with top talent, and drafting in the middle of the first round may not provide as good of an opportunity.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have found out better than most NFL franchises that bringing in a veteran quarterback isn’t necessarily the best formula for winning a Super Bowl, despite the Los Angeles Rams and Buccaneers each having success that way. Since Andrew Luck suddenly retired in 2019, the Colts have tried bringing in Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, and Phillips Rivers as the final piece to get Indianapolis over the hump.
However, none of those veterans have worked out. Last season was especially a disaster with Ryan. The Colts fell out of the playoff picture and are now drafting No. 4 overall, still in search of their next star quarterback. Indianapolis will have to worry about Chicago and possibly division rival Houston grabbing one of the top QBs.
The Colts may need to jump up to the top spot to grab the signal caller they want.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers aren’t a team that usually likes to trade up. However, Pittsburgh has two picks in the top 32 and may be able to move down the board to grab a player it really likes. The Steelers’ problem is that they really need help at cornerback and left tackle, both highly-coveted positions that don’t usually see top players tumble down the draft.
Pittsburgh doesn’t like to tear things down and rebuild and tries to compete to be in the playoffs every year. Getting a left tackle to protect Pickett could go a long way toward making that happen in what should be a competitive AFC North next season. The Steelers are operating with a new General Manager in Omar Khan, who may be open to a different approach in the draft.
Pittsburgh last traded down to get linebacker Devin Bush, which hasn’t paid off for the Steelers.
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