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Although it is the focus of every result, NFL trading is not done in a vacuum. It is not simply an equation of value for value. What am I giving vs what am I getting? If it were that simple, trading in football would probably be more common. But there is another element to closing a deal. Understanding the Market. supply and demand. The lower the supply, the higher the demand. In 18 months on the job, Umar Khan has used this to his advantage in three of the most notable deals he has done. Traded WR Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears, traded OL Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams, and traded OL Kendrick Green to the Houston Texans.
Chase Claypool – 2nd round pick
It’s still a shock to learn that Omar Khan was selected in the second round over Chase Claypool, who had no role to play and his reception in Pittsburgh was clearly worn out. Ten months after the deal, the Steelers are still looking like a big winner. Claypool contributed little to the Bears’ offense, and Chicago did not win a game after acquiring him. Pittsburgh has better slot options in Allen Robinson (traded for Peanuts) and Calvin Austin III in 2023, while using the Claypool pick to take CB Joey Porter Jr.
So why was Claypool valued? two reasons. With him on his rookie deal through the 2023 season, he had an element of team control. Many deals are either rentals, deal expiring players, or players who are traded and immediately sign long term deals with their new team (thereby reducing compensation because team compensation leaving and paying a lot of money). Claypool was the middle ground. At least it helped a little.
But the motivating factor was the NFL’s concern over the 2023 wide receiver free agent and receiver options. With so many receivers up for long-term deals before the 2022 season (including the trade-and-sign of Tyreek Hill, AJ Brown, and Davante Adams, as well as Stefon Diggs, Debo Samuel, Terry McLaurin) the potential for a draft class Together they did this. It appears to be top-heavy as ever. Ultimately, several receivers went in the first round but ran late in the position, the first being 20th overall off the board.
Meaning, the Bears wanted an upgrade at receiver but were struggling to get it through player acquisition, free agency and the two main drivers of the draft. They had to turn to alternate routes and some of the wide receiver purchases at the time cost Claypool. Again, supply matched demand, and Claypool had to go for that price (Chicago later traded it to Carolina for WR DJ Moore in the deal for the No. 1 pick, Moore joined the deal.)
Khan was probably well aware of all these facts and waited for Bears GM Ryan Pole to get the best offer. That way you get a second round pick for someone who isn’t as good. If there was free agency and the draft class looked strong, it is doubtful that Claypool would have gotten such a huge amount.
Kevin Dotson – 2024 and 2025 Pick Swap
*If you are interested, check out the full details of the trade here.
Dotson fell out of favor in Pittsburgh but that didn’t mean he lacked trade value. Later in the summer and around the cut deadline, there is no position more valuable than offensive lineman. It’s the rarest of rare situations in the league where most teams lack enough strong starters, let alone quality depth. The rare teams that have a surplus often cash out. Of the 24 players claimed off waivers the day after cuts, nearly 30 percent were offensive linemen.
That’s what happened with Dotson. The Rams need help, perhaps a starting right guard but at the very least, a quality backup, and that’s why they were interested in Dotson. Due to the inconsistency of his play, there are not many experienced, young and cheap linemen available. Khan took advantage of this to get a good deal from the Rams. It wasn’t a steal, it wasn’t Claypool-level, but for a rebuilding Rams team with a lousy-looking roster (along with WR Cooper Kupp’s Week One status) the pick swap could mean a big change if real. Maybe compensation.
Kendrick Green – 2025 sixth rounder
The same applies to Green as to Dotson. Offensive linemen, even those who have struggled as much as Green, still have value. What is different here is the desperation of the Texans. Due to injuries to several players, including former first-round pick Kenyon Green and scheduled starting rookie center Juice Scruggs, the Texans had to make a last-second pivot to add names to the line.
Due to his high demand, Khan was able to persuade him to take Green. Although I can’t say with certainty, the deal was likely done at the last second and the Texans’ suddenly wide-open-looking offensive line forced them to send a 2025 sixth-rounder. Despite Houston being second in the waiver order, Khan played on that fear and desperation to get something going for Green, who was not going to score 53.
All three trades had slightly different components to which Khan was inclined. The future of free agency and draft classes, the lack of talent on the O-line, the frustration that comes when injuries crush a team. All three turned into good deals for Khan and good deals for the Steelers.
Source: steelersdepot.com
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