The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been one of the top teams in the NFL in terms of receiving compensatory picks. The compensatory pick process is a complex system the NFL implemented to help maintain competitive balance across the league. Under the league’s formula, teams that lose more or better compensatory free agents than they acquire in a given year are awarded extra draft picks. The key factor is that only certain free agents qualify as compensatory free agents, meaning not all departures contribute to a team’s compensatory pick total.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
The Steelers didn’t receive any compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they are currently projected to earn at least four in 2026—though that number could still change. The four projected picks stem from the losses of James Daniels, Dan Moore, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields in free agency. If these projections hold, the Steelers will have one of the highest compensatory pick totals in the league, positioning themselves to add extra talent in the draft.
According to Over The Cap, the Steelers are currently projected to receive the most compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft—the very same draft Pittsburgh will be hosting. On Monday, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac revealed that after speaking with General Manager Omar Khan, it became clear that compensatory picks played a significant role in the team’s offseason decision-making. Khan’s strategy suggests the Steelers are not only focused on building for the present but also ensuring they maximize their draft capital for the future.
GM Omar Khan acknowledged the compensatory picks the Steelers will receive for losing a host of free agents is something that has influenced the team’s decisions during the offseason.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 31, 2025
The compensatory pick process is unique, and it's a key factor in keeping the NFL one of the most competitive leagues in the world of sports. Year after year, the NFL is filled with surprise teams that rise above expectations, and the favorites don’t always win. On any given Sunday, any team can take home the victory, and that unpredictability is what makes the NFL so special. Compensatory picks play a big role in this dynamic, as they help teams build depth and create opportunities to strengthen their rosters.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
General Manager Omar Khan speaks to the press at the Pittsburgh Steelers' UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Khan has come to Pittsburgh with a clear agenda: to build the roster to the best of his ability. His ultimate goal is to make the Steelers as competitive as possible, and he recognizes that the 2026 draft class is shaping up to be highly talented. Knowing the potential of that draft, the Steelers have worked to position themselves for maximum picks, particularly as they look to find their franchise quarterback. It's clear that Khan is planning ahead and positioning the Steelers for success in the long term.
Steelers Are Finally Using Compensatory Picks To Their Advantage
Since 2020, the Steelers have received a total of eight compensatory picks. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have mastered the compensatory pick process, accumulating a significant number and integrating it into their offseason strategies. Steelers fans can now look forward to Khan using this approach to their advantage.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan talks on the phone during a practice in the Steel City.
Although Khan is still early in his tenure as the Steelers' general manager, he’s already made sharp moves, outmaneuvering other teams through trades, splash signings, and big acquisitions. His next major move to solidify his legacy? Landing a franchise quarterback, and accumulating compensatory picks could very well be part of the Steelers' strategy to achieve that goal in 2026.
Steeler Nation is thrilled at the prospect of having a surplus of draft picks in the Steel City draft. The idea of stacking up selections for the 2026 draft has fans eager to see how the Steelers will leverage this advantage to strengthen their roster and potentially land a game-changing talent.
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