Steelers Training Camp Battles Could Push Omar Khan Toward 4 Bargain Trades

Soon, Saint Vincent College will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers onto campus as they report for head coach Mike McCarthy's first training camp. Players will battle for starting roles and roster security, and some will try to look good on tape for other teams monitoring their progress. The Steelers will walk onto Chuck Noll Field with a number of questions to address. General manager Omar Khan won't just be watching closely, he might have a few teams on speed dial for potential trades.

Not every roster spot is secure, and the team has several positions to address. Some rookies could stave off competition for a short time, but once the preseason begins, their progress will really tell the story. A few bargain players might be on the trade block that are worth watching as camp progresses. Here are four the Steelers might target.

Walker Little – OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

With Broderick Jones' return timeline unclear, the Steelers may need to add depth at tackle. Walker Little has manned left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he now faces a challenger in Cole Van Lanen.

Speculation suggests the Jaguars are prepared to move on from Little given his $14 million cap hit, especially since he looks like the underdog for the left tackle job. Khan could work out a deal involving a Day Three pick, with Jacksonville eating half of Little's cap hit.

Damar Hamlin – FS, Buffalo Bills

The Steelers already have their head coach and a seventh-round draft pick enjoying a homecoming this year, why not add another? Hamlin would also address a potential need at free safety, though this move would likely come later in training camp or preseason.

The Steelers like some of their younger talent at free safety, but if camp or preseason performances change that outlook, Hamlin could become available at a reasonable price. It wouldn't be a game-changing move, but it would bring in a veteran to shore up the position.

Blake Fisher – OT, Houston Texans

Fisher has fallen out of favor with the Texans. If the Steelers are more concerned about depth at right tackle than left, Fisher could be another candidate for Khan to call about. A former second-round pick, Fisher could benefit from a fresh start.

The Steelers brought in longtime offensive line coach James Campen this offseason, and adding a talent like Fisher could benefit both sides. Fisher would get a fresh start, and the Steelers would get a depth piece at a current question mark on the roster.

Drew Sanders – ILB, Denver Broncos

Malik Harrison carries a considerable cap hit and sits on the roster bubble. If the Steelers want an upgrade with more upside, Sanders fits the bill. The athletic standout out of Arkansas has been buried on a stacked Denver Broncos defensive depth chart.

Sanders can play MIKE linebacker and has cross-trained at EDGE, and he has also carved out a role as a strong special teams contributor. He'd likely cost more. The Steelers might need to offer a fourth-round pick to get a deal done. Still, landing a player like Sanders for roughly half of Harrison's cap hit could make it worthwhile.