So with the preseason games about to start, here are several players that might have value in the trade market that may not make the roster:
(Keep in mind any or all of these may still make the roster, especially since injuries can always come into play, and poor play could always reduce their value, and that most will probably just be cut, though in this day and age, every asset you can get, you should....)
- Mason Rudolph. It’s been discussed ad nauseum. Basically, if he doesn’t actually win the starting role and Pickett looks like he is ready to be the backup, then it makes sense to offer him for what they can get. Seattle is almost certainly an option if he plays well against them, but other injuries could make other opportunities for him. Tomlin occasionally likes to keep just two QBs on the roster and one on the practice squad. We would be set up well for that if we moved Rudolph
- Benny Snell. Yeah he is currently the top backup and probably has a bit of trade value unlike the rest of the backup backs… RB isn’t exactly a position that needs experience. McFarland seems to be turning a corner as perhaps a change of pace back and Jaylen Warren almost certainly is making the squad. Master Teague wont get a spot but he well could be a Benny snell type on the PS. Also at TE Heyward is almost certainly going to make it as a Hback type. He has experience at RB and could fill that Benny Snell football role in a pinch. We need spots to keep some extra talent at other positions and frankly RB isn’t a priority position anymore….
- The veteran guys who don’t make the final wr squad:
- Gunner Olszewski. He is a highly compensated UFA signee pro bowl returner with virtually no receiving experience. Calvin Austin 3, Anthony Mcfarland, Anthony Miller, and Steven Sims all supposedly look good returning kicks and punts… all are cheaper and provide more skill at other positions. They might not get much back, but they could get a team to eat some of the signing bonus, and it would free up a couple million next year
- Anthony Miller. I think he will make the squad, but if not, the guy is too talented to not be on a team somewhere. If he isn’t going to make here there are a bunch of teams looking for solid wrs…
- Steven Sims. Another guy with NFL experience. Someone will be looking for a 3rd wr or returner, and he has done both… barring injury I cant see a path forward here.
- Miles Boykin. He has a real shot to make it as a special teams guy as long as he still looks good at wr, but he costs a lot and that could work against him. Its hard to say if any team lower than us put in a waiver claim for him, but if he isn’t making the roster, its worth exploring…
- Devin Bush. If Spillane beats him out, he is just too pricey to keep as a backup. It looks like the two young draftees from the past two drafts have potential and he would just be a pricey roadblock for them.
- The DL seems to have a lot of depth all of a sudden. Last season they kept 8, but without Tuitts uncertainty this year, they may only keep 7. Heyward, Alualu, Ogunjobi, Loudermilk and Leal are absolute locks. Adams and Wormley are virtual locks, but if they feel that Doug Costin can provide what either of the last two brings to the table, and that they wont be able to stash him on the PS, they could trade one of them and keep him. There will likely be experienced guys on the PS with the Davis brothers and Mondeaux getting cut (though Mondeaux may get some serious interest elsewhere as a backup…)
- The loser for the last Safety Position. This probably comes down to Killebrew or Joseph, and they likely will try to get them on the practice squad as a precaution, but either would have low end value.
- Genard Avery. This guy is basically a solid run stopper in a OLb position. Which is probably why we signed him. He had 12 starts last year. Delonte Scott looks really good. Ron’dell Carter sounds like he is flashing a lot despite just being signed. Tuszka is the special teams ace they love to keep at OLB and he doesn’t look out of place at OLB. Skipper is a former camp phenom that fits the system. That’s a lot of young potential. Avery feels like a journeyman type… If Avery is expendable, he could have value to one of the NFC teams shallow on LBs….
Most of these guys wont get more than a 5th or 6th rounder, but those can be used to patch holes that develop before the trade deadline
