The Pittsburgh Steelers have short-term answers at quarterback with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and their starting guard might also not be long for the team. James Daniels is entering the final year of his contract and has already announced the team will not extend him before the season, which means a trade could be on the table. A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Daniels spent the past two seasons holding down Pittsburgh’s starting guard spot and finished 2023 as PFF’s 33rd-best guard out of 79 eligible players.
James Daniels is nothing special, but he could earn a decent return in a trade. Pittsburgh probably won’t want to trade him, and they could come to terms on a long-term deal at the end of the season. Historically, The Steelers do not negotiate during the season, and Pittsburgh believes themselves to be a playoff-caliber team. As long as this team is in contention, James Daniels will remain a Steeler. However, if the wheels fall off the wagon, Pittsburgh could send him to the Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints.
Steelers Could Trade James Daniels To Ravens, Saints
The Ravens had the best roster in football last year, but the salary cap ensures that no team can keep that much talent around for an extended period. Baltimore watched several big-name players depart in free agency, including starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. With too many other needs scattered throughout the roster, the Ravens couldn’t address the interior offensive line with any notable free agents or draft picks. Lamar Jackson could feel some pressure next year, and a James Daniels trade could save this team down the stretch.
Baltimore will remain competitive as long as Jackson is on the field, but they’ll need some help to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Steelers won’t want to trade James Daniels to a division rival, but they might not have a choice if Baltimore makes the best offer. Assuming the team is out of the playoff picture, Baltimore could snag the impending free agent in the hopes of adding a missing piece to a deep postseason run.
The Saints Offensive Line
The Saints are not Super Bowl contenders but don’t tell that to their accounting department. New Orleans is once again mortgaging the future to try and win now, despite a lack of top-end talent on the roster. Dennis Allen and Derek Carr will both be out of a job if they can’t guide this team to the top of a weak NFC South, and a James Daniels trade could shore up the weakest part of this roster. The Saints have arguably the worst offensive line in the game, and Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league against pressure.
Seeing as they’re stuck with Carr for at least one more year, New Orleans must upgrade the offensive line or risk everyone losing their jobs. Seeing as cap space is at a premium and the future is not guaranteed, the Saints should have no issue giving up a draft pick in a James Daniels trade.
Main Photo: Mark Konezny – USA Today Sports
