PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What changed with the Steelers after a couple of moves at the trade deadline?
Draft help
A team needing to add more high-end players, for an inconsistent Chase Claypool the Steelers get the Bears second-round pick. That would mean, as it sits right now, the Steelers would own three of the first 43 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and that's with the Bears currently at 3-5 on the season. Chicago still has the Dolphins, Eagles, Bills and Vikings—all currently in playoff position. Bears do play the Jets, Packers, Lions (twice) and Atlanta. Odds are after losing their best defensive player, that second round pick could move up.
Steelers traded a conditional sixth round pick and got a conditional seventh round pick as part of the William Jackson trade with Washington.
The add
William Jackson III was a big free agent signing for Washington last year (3-years, $40 million). The cornerback played in 16 games, all starts, with the Commanders with a pair of interceptions, 10 passes defended and 55 tackles. He never really fit with Washington and hasn't played in the last three games with what was being called a back injury. This season Jackson has a pair of passes defended in four starts with 16 tackles.
In 59 games (48 starts) with Cincinnati he had five interceptions, a touchdown, a sack, 150 tackles (119 solo). His last three years with the Bengals, Jackson played nearly every defensive snap (2,780 snaps).
His Pro Football Focus grade is pretty bad this year at 94th among all NFL cornerbacks, but it is better than Levi Wallace-97th. Wallace started three of the six games he's played with the Steelers and Ahkello Witherspoon-101st, who was the opening day starter. Witherspoon returned from a hamstring injury against the Browns to start against Philly and was benched during the game.
Jackson's PFF overall grade is 49.6 this year. The worst of his career. Three times he was ranked as a top-30 corner. He was 20th in 2020, 26th in 2018 and 4th best in 2017. There could be an argument made that his issues are more about Washington.
A first-round pick of the Bengals in 2016 (24th overall) out of Houston, the recently-turned 30-year-old is 6', 189 pounds. He's signed for one more season at a cap value of $12.75 million. The Steelers could release him with no cost or ask him to take a pay cut for an opportunity to start next year.
They have nine games to see what he has and how he fits.
The loss
What was Chase Claypool?
There was a lot of excitement coming off his rookie season with 11 total touchdowns. The thought of his growth over the span of his four-year rookie contract had many excited.
Claypool's second season felt like a bust. His signaling first down late in the game in Minnesota that cost them time as they frantically tried to come back stuck in everyone's mind. Claypool actually had nearly exactly the same numbers from his first season (3 fewer receptions, 13 fewer yards, 0.7% catch), except touchdowns where Claypool only had two, total.
The inconsistencies continued this year, he had his only touchdown reception and season-high seven catches and 96 yards against Tampa Bay. He also had a no catch game against the Jets. Sunday in Philly, Claypool had four receptions for 45 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Derek Watt.
Reports of him being a cancer in the locker room were overblown. While he had some maturity issues his first two seasons, Claypool has been much better this year. Sources telling me after the trade, he hung out playing cards with his former Steelers teammates before leaving for Chicago.
Who fills?
A new receiver will work into the top three with Claypool gone. Steven Sims seems to be a logical player to go into the slot. Another player from Washington, Sims signed with the Steelers last year playing a few snaps in one game. He had his first two Steelers receptions against the Eagles for negative one yard. Sims is also their kick returner.
Other options
Miles Boykin-the Ravens 2019 third-round pick has been a key special teams player, however has just one reception for 11 yards.
Gunner Olszewski-caught the Steelers first touchdown of the year, in the preseason.
Benched after fumbling twice in the first four games. Olszewski has 3 catches for 46 yards.
Cody White-currently on the practice squad, but can play in the slot. He hasn't been active for a game this season, but the 23-year-old had five receptions for 33 yards last year.
Ultimately time will tell how these deals impact the team. The Steelers add a high draft pick, a new starting corner while losing a receiver with tremendous ability who lacked consistency.
