The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting the finishing touches on the organization's draft prep for the 2026 version of the event, and the team currently holds the 21st overall pick. The Steelers will have some freedom and power in the event as the organization holds 12 picks in all, and some of those are expected to be moved for draft capital in 2027 or to move up the draft board this year. General Manager Omar Khan will be able to move around in the draft, and he has not shied away from trades before. In his first year as general manager, he moved up in the first round to acquire Broderick Jones.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Owner Art Rooney II on the field prior to a game in Baltimore while having a discussion.
Jones has not exactly panned out as a left tackle in the NFL like the Steelers had probably hoped he would when moving up to draft him, but the point still stands when it comes to Khan and making trades. The Steelers have 12 selections, and it would not be a good move to make all of those picks. The Steelers do not have 12 roster spots available for rookies, and some of those picks would be complete wastes. Pittsburgh will part ways with some selections by moving around the board this year, and beat writer Mike DeFabo analyzed some trade options for the franchise in a recent piece for The Athletic.
DeFabo used the Rich Hill model when analyzing potential trades for the Steelers, and this model assigns points to each pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It is considered the most accurate model for fans to view, while teams all have their own systems, but nothing should vary too far from this.
"Based on this model, the Steelers could expect to jump up to around Tampa Bay’s 15th pick (315 points) by exchanging either No. 76 or No. 85," DeFabo said. "That could help them leapfrog the New York Jets, who have been connected to several receivers, but won’t necessarily move them ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who some have linked to [Olaivavega] Ioane. Giving up the 99th pick (36 points), the second-to-last selection in the third round, Pittsburgh could expect a smaller jump to about the Detroit Lions’ 17th pick (296 points)."
DeFabo's entire thought process was that the Steelers can use one or two of the franchise's third-round selections to move up in the first round. If the Steelers felt comfortable parting ways with two of them, making a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be on the table. He also mentioned giving up less draft capital in a trade with the Detroit Lions, who pick two selections after Tampa Bay. Obviously, Pittsburgh's first-round pick would also be in the deal.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers clearly need some help at wide receiver, although acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. via trade has lessened the need at the position. He should take some attention away from DK Metcalf, but it would still be nice to get a dynamic, younger athlete in the room. The New York Jets hold the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and have shown interest in various wide receivers, and jumping them would be the purpose of a deal with Tampa Bay. However, a trade would only make sense if a guy the Steelers are in love with is still on the board.
It just so happens that the Jets were also the team the Steelers were leapfrogging back in 2023 when the organization moved up to select Jones.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Omar Khan Could Also Consider Trading Back
Khan has spoken before about not being a major fan of trading back in the first round, but if the Steelers are not in love with any available prospects by the time the 21st pick comes around, moving back would make sense. However, it would be imperative that the team recouped 2027 draft capital from the deal rather than more 2026 picks. That draft is going to be highly coveted.
What do you think about these trade scenarios for Pittsburgh? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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