Pittsburgh sent Jerald Hawkins and a 2021 seventh-round pick…

The Exchange

Pittsburgh traded tackle Jerald Hawkins and a 2021 seventh-round choice to Tampa Bay in 2019 for the Buccaneers' 2021 sixth-round choice. When the selections were finally exercised, Pittsburgh used No. 216 on Quincy Roche and Tampa Bay used No. 251 on Chris Wilcox. The direct package is therefore one player and one pick to Tampa Bay for one pick to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Steelers Return Pittsburgh's value came from moving up one round in the future draft. No. 216 became Quincy Roche, an edge defender with enough talent to justify the swing but not enough Steelers tenure to make the move a clear success. The club gained a better draft slot, yet the realized player outcome did not create lasting surplus value. That limits the upside of the Steelers' side. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return Tampa Bay received Hawkins as an immediate offensive-line depth option and also retained the later 2021 choice that became Chris Wilcox. Hawkins gave the Buccaneers a veteran body at tackle, while Wilcox represented a developmental defensive back. Neither asset became a long-term cornerstone, but getting both a player and a late pick kept Tampa Bay's side competitive with Pittsburgh's modest move up the board. Value in Hindsight The trade never produced a player whose career clearly tilted the transaction. Pittsburgh improved its draft position but did not turn that advantage into a durable contributor. Tampa Bay received two assets, yet neither created a meaningful long-term payoff. The difference between Nos. 216 and 251 was not enough by itself to establish a clear winner once the player outcomes are considered. Final Verdict Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay each receive a C. Both teams had a sensible reason for making the move, but the realized returns remained limited. With no standout player and no major downstream value swing, this is an Even Trade.