The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that is going to be interesting to watch during the 2026 NFL Draft. The organization is going to have a lot of draft capital going into the event, and the franchise is primed to make some trades on draft night, or before the event even begins. This is great news as the Steelers have countless holes to fill and upgrade throughout the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during a press conference ahead of training camp in July 2025.
The NFL awarded compensatory draft picks to teams in the league on Monday, and these picks were distributed based on free agency during the 2025 offseason. Pittsburgh lost some major players in free agency, and the league awarded the Steelers four compensatory selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, which was expected.
Just in: The NFL awarded compensatory draft picks today for the 2026 NFL Draft.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2026
Formula is based on net free-agent losses from last offseason.
Here’s the full list of extra picks awarded to teams 👇 pic.twitter.com/xddYpYt3GI
The Steelers were given the 99th, 135th, 214th, and 216th selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. That is one third-round pick, one fourth-round pick, and two sixth-round picks. Pittsburgh can use those picks to bring in some talent through the event, or those picks can be packaged together to move up in the event. Now that the picks have been distributed throughout the league, they can be traded.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs for and meets with fans during the team's 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers were one of three teams that received four compensatory selections, joining the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh also seems to be playing the compensatory selection game for 2027. Trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and signing cornerback Jamel Dean does not count against the franchise in the NFL's compensatory pick formula, so Pittsburgh should receive two picks or so in 2027 as well.
Pittsburgh's compensatory picks from the 2025 offseason came from the franchise losing Dan Moore Jr., Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Donte Jackson. In 2027, the Steelers will probably get picks from losing Kenneth Gainwell, James Pierre, and Isaac Seumalo, who remains a free agent.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images
Steelers' Jamel Dean during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What do you think about the Steelers receiving four additional selections? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
#SteelerNation