Oakland sent Pittsburgh the 79th pick in the 2018 draft for…
Oakland sent Pittsburgh the 79th pick in the 2018 draft for wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Bryant's Raiders tenure was turbulent and brief: he was released before Week 1, re-signed, then finished 2018 with 19 catches for 266 yards and no touchdowns in eight games. The third-round cost was too high for that return, giving Pittsburgh a clear advantage.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Martavis Bryant
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 2018 3rd round pick (79th overall subsequently traded, Rasheem Green )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Oakland acquired wide receiver Martavis Bryant from Pittsburgh during the first round of the 2018 draft and sent the Steelers a third-round selection, No. 79. Pittsburgh did not use No. 79 directly. The Steelers later paired that choice with No. 220 in a trade with Seattle to move up to No. 76, where they selected quarterback Mason Rudolph. Seattle ultimately used No. 79 on defensive lineman Rasheem Green, which is why the direct pick lineage and Pittsburgh's downstream move should be separated.
Why Pittsburgh Pulled Ahead
Bryant's talent made the Raiders' gamble understandable, but the club did not receive enough stability or production. He was released before the regular season, later re-signed, and finished 2018 with 19 receptions for 266 yards and no touchdowns across eight games. That is far below the expected return for surrendering a third-round pick. Pittsburgh, by contrast, recovered valuable Day 2 capital for a receiver whose Steelers future had become uncertain and then used that capital to maneuver for a quarterback.
How the Trade Aged
Rudolph's career should not be treated as though he were selected directly with Oakland's pick, because Pittsburgh added another asset to move from No. 79 to No. 76. Still, the trade-down chain matters when evaluating what the Steelers created from the return. Oakland's side never developed into a sustained receiving role, while Pittsburgh preserved flexibility and roster value with a meaningful draft asset. The difference became clear very quickly.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins with a B+, while the Raiders earn a D. The Steelers sold an uncertain veteran at a strong price and retained useful draft leverage. Oakland paid third-round value for eight games of limited production, making this one of the sharper mismatches in the wave.