Steelers Have Perfect Trade Partner To Make Huge Splash In Round 1 Of 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to get through free agency and the beginning of the new league year until the franchise really starts to focus on the 2026 NFL Draft. However, it's a unique year for the Steel City because the big event will be held on the North Shore right outside of Acrisure Stadium. With the 21st overall selection, the front office will have a large task of appeasing the fan base that will be in attendance. There are several glaring needs on the roster, but some are more crucial than others, which is why the team could elect to make a sizeable splash.

General Manager Omar Khan has not been one to stay away from aggression during his stint as the organization's front office leader. In his very first draft, he traded up to grab Broderick Jones. While that hasn't worked out like everyone had hoped it would, that won't hold Khan back from doing something similar in 2026, especially if the right prospect presents himself to be available.

One key area of need is at wide receiver, and there are a clear top three in the class coming out of college. Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon could all be selected rather early, and it's currently not expected that any individual from the trio ends up falling to 21. This could provoke Khan to make a significant move up the board on the first day of the event.

Luckily for the general manager, he has recent history with a team that could look to move back. In May of 2025, the Steelers dealt George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. It was a move that came at an odd time, but the wideout proved himself in a contract year. Now, Jerry Jones will have to decide whether to slap the franchise tag on him, extend him, or trade him.

Jones had a pretty entertaining 2025 calendar year as he landed Pickens, dealt Micah Parsons, and then was extremely active at the trade deadline. With all of that, the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the team will not select again until round four. Depending on what happens with Pickens, Jones and co. have no need for a receiver. If one of the top three falls, Khan could certainly reach out in the hopes of getting a deal done.

With the Cowboys not having any picks in round two or three, the Steelers could lend a serious hand due to the capital at their disposal. In that same timeframe, Khan is projected to have four total selections. It could be relatively costly to move up the board nine spots, but Dallas is going to be desperate for more capital outside of round one. That, paired with the fact that the two organizations have recent trade history, creates a fascinating potential duo.

It's very hard to use 12 total picks in any given draft. That would make it nearly impossible for all of those players to make the 53-man roster. One way to trim down that number is to deal assets. There may not be a better way to do it than moving up in the first round to finally grab a legitimate second option in the receiving game at wide receiver. If one of the wideouts begins to slip in round one, Khan has no reason not to call Jones and make something happen.

Steelers Can Afford To Give Up Solid Draft Capital In April

Pittsburgh needs a strong wide receiver to pair with DK Metcalf. The veteran is under contract for several more years, and grabbing a rookie with a fifth-round option could give the team a formidable duo for the foreseeable future. There's no guarantee that the franchise is specifically eyeing the position, but it seems unlikely that a quarterback will be there for the taking. Jumping up to the 12th spot isn't just possible; it's truly something to keep an eye on.

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