After signing with the Steelers this offseason, Melvin Ingram has requested a trade after seeing his usage slip in recent weeks. Here are five potential trade destinations for Melvin Ingram.
Reports have come out that the Chiefs have made an offer to the Steelers. The Steelers would prefer to not move him to an AFC team, but a few things could change the circumstances. Kansas City is desperate for pass-rushing help, as they rank last in the league in sacks per game. Their offer could be too good to refuse. On top of that, the Steelers could lose over the weekend, which would hurt their playoff chances. If they don’t look like they will make the playoffs, the fear of trading Ingram to an AFC team means nothing.
As mentioned, the Chiefs could give up a decent amount for Ingram because they are not getting to opposing quarterbacks. With the addition of Ingram, the Chiefs can move Chris Jones inside and have Ingram rush the passer across the line from Frank Clark. This should help all parties be more successful, as offensive lines could be overwhelmed.
The Cowboys have a good team this season, but they have had trouble rushing the passer. They average just 1.8 sacks per game. Dallas has Randy Gregory, who is playing pretty well, but they are waiting on the return of DeMarcus Lawrence, who was injured early in the season (he is expected back soon). He is still trying to return from a broken metatarsal.
Ingram would provide some pass-rushing help until Lawrence returns. When Lawrence returns, Ingram can be a situational pass-rusher. While he was not happy with his playing time in Pittsburgh, he may be ok with playing time for the time being and then being rotational after that point. With the Cowboys looking to add talent to their roster to make a playoff push, they could give up enough for the Steelers to deal Ingram. Because they are in the NFC, it makes the trade a little easier for the Steelers.
Indianapolis is a team that started off rocky, but have bounced back. While they aren’t quite back to .500 yet, they could make a push for the playoffs in the AFC, specifically in the AFC South. They too are having pass-rushing struggles, as they average just two sacks a game, which ranks in the bottom half of the league.
Rookie Kwity Paye has played well for the Colts this season, but having another pass-rusher could really improve this defense. The Colts have played solid defense before, but have lacked a true pass-rushing force over the years. If the Steelers let go of the idea of having to trade Ingram to an NFC team, the Colts could give them some value. Indianapolis does have a first-round pick conditionally being sent to the Eagles, but it shouldn’t take that much to get Ingram anyways.
The Falcons have won two straight to put them at .500 for the season. If they can win this weekend against the Panthers, who are struggling, the Falcons will be in the mix for the playoffs. As is usually the case for Atlanta, the defense is more of an issue than the offense. They allow nearly 30 points per game and have trouble getting after the quarterback.
Trading for Ingram would be vitally important for the Falcons, as their current leader in sacks is linebacker Deion Jones with two. Ingram would get the playing time he wants because the Falcons don’t have many good pass rushers. If Atlanta is thinking about going for the playoffs this season, they should consider making a move for Ingram.
Green Bay has so many injuries this season. Right now, both of their talented pass rushers, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, are injured. If the Packers fear one or both will be out for an extended amount of time, they should make a play for Ingram, who can really fit into their 3-4 defense.
Ingram could get playing time when the Smith brothers (no relation) are still out. When they come back, he can still be a rotational player. While that did upset him in Pittsburgh, playing on the Packers, who have a shot at the Super Bowl, could entice him. The Packers may only have Aaron Rodgers for this year before he moves on, so they should be making any move possible to improve the roster.
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