If there was one lesson the Pittsburgh Steelers learned from the previous two seasons, it was that they can’t add enough helpful depth to their defensive line. T.J. Watt is one of the most disruptive pass rushers when healthy, but his injuries have caused the Steelers heartaches for the 2022 season and 2023 postseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could add depth to pair with T.J. Watt
Alex Ballentine with Bleacher Report has a trade proposal that would help the Steelers navigate a potential injury setback in the upcoming season. Ballentine thinks the Steelers could complete a trade for former Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka:
The Joe Tryon-Shoyinka breakout season has been an unfulfilled dream for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons now. After declining his fifth-year option, it seems as unlikely as ever.
The Bucs spent the 32nd overall selection on Tryon-Shoyinka back in 2021. He’s made 34 starts and played in every regular-season game since then, but his production has been underwhelming.
There’s more to the position than sacks, but he has only 13 across three seasons. His pressure rate has actually been better than you’d think, but it took a dip in 2023. After posting a 13.2 pressure percentage as a rookie, he was down to just 9.1 last season.
That would explain why he ceded snaps to YaYa Diaby, who put up 7.5 sacks in his rookie year.
Joe Tyron-Shoyinka could play better in Pittsburgh
While Tyron-Shoyinka has struggled in his first three seasons in the NFL, Ballentine thinks the issue could be coaching. The former Washington Huskies standout could resurrect his career playing for Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh:
Tryon-Shoyinka’s early success and pressure rates would hint at some untapped potential that just might not be reached in Todd Bowles’ defense.
The Steelers’ primary needs might be at wide receiver and corner, but edge depth is a sneaky spot for improvement. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith obviously do the heavy lifting, and Nick Herbig will eat up some snaps, but the Steelers don’t necessarily have a replacement for what Markus Golden gave them last season.
Tryon-Shoyinka would have the opportunity to learn under a coaching staff that has helped Highsmith become a productive starter alongside a superstar in Watt.
Ballentine’s trade proposal
Pittsburgh Steelers receive
- Joe Tyron-Shoyinka
Buccaneers receive
- 2025 fifth-round pick
The Steelers would essentially give up an early Day 3 pick for a player who could have upside with the Steelers. Adding depth to their pass-rushing unit before training camp couldn’t hurt them. The Buccaneers could cut their losses on Tyron-Shoyinka and use the draft capital to improve their roster in 2025.
