Pittsburgh traded three selections to the Jets to move from…
Pittsburgh traded three selections to the Jets to move from No. 56 to No. 41 in the 1998 draft, using the higher pick on defensive lineman Jeremy Staat. Staat played only 31 NFL games and started twice. New York used the return on Dorian Boose, Kevin Williams and Eric Bateman. None became a star, but the Jets received more playable depth and three chances for a player who did not justify Pittsburgh’s move-up cost.
New York Jets Received
- pick 1998 2nd round pick (56th overall, Dorian Boose)
- pick 1998 3rd round pick (87th overall, Kevin Williams)
- pick 1998 5th round pick (149th overall, Eric Bateman)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1998 2nd round pick (41st overall, Jeremy Staat )
Trade Analysis
Why Pittsburgh Paid to Move Up
The Steelers wanted defensive lineman Jeremy Staat and moved 15 spots up in the second round to secure him. To get No. 41 from the Jets, Pittsburgh surrendered No. 56, a third-round choice at No. 87 and a fifth-rounder at No. 149. That is a substantial price for a move within the second round, making Staat’s development central to whether the trade could succeed.
What Pittsburgh Received
Staat never became the impact defender the move-up implied. He appeared in 31 NFL games and made only two starts. His career included time beyond Pittsburgh, but he did not establish himself as a long-term Steelers starter. When a team consolidates three picks into one player, the selected player needs to provide a clear performance advantage because the club has sacrificed multiple opportunities to add depth.
How the Jets Used the Extra Chances
New York selected Dorian Boose at No. 56. Boose played 44 career games, including 34 with the Jets, though he also made limited starts. Kevin Williams and Eric Bateman did not become major long-term contributors. The Jets therefore did not turn the package into a collection of stars. Their edge comes from the structure of the exchange: three usable draft opportunities produced at least comparable on-field value to Staat without the concentration risk Pittsburgh accepted.
Final Verdict
New York Jets Win. The Jets receive a B- for extracting three selections and producing more aggregate roster value. Pittsburgh gets a D+ because Staat’s 31-game career did not justify surrendering a second-, third- and fifth-round package. The margin is not enormous because New York’s picks were modest performers, but the Steelers paid too much for too little return.