Steelers Given A Practical Range For A Possible Trade Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers are just days away from the 2026 NFL Draft. Speculation continues to swirl, and with the team owning 12 draft picks, there are no shortage of scenarios. General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike McCarthy have their first draft together in black and gold, and hope to build a roster that keeps them competitive. The Steelers won the AFC North in 2025 and made a playoff appearance. This draft will surely address holes on their roster and add an intense youth movement to a team that was one of the league's oldest in 2025.

Pittsburgh's stockpile of picks could allow it to propel up the draft board to get one of the class's highly touted prospects. While this move could be expensive, it can be done based on the sheer number of selections that the Steelers have. Khan and the front office have trended towards being aggressive in past drafts, as they have moved up in round one before. This year could be no different, as the Steelers are looking to add as many great players as possible before a likely quarterback-centered draft in 2027.

The range that the franchise could look to trade up into was revealed by Steelers insider Mark Kaboly on an episode of Kaboly + Mack. He explained that a move somewhere even in the top 12 might be too rich; however, jumping a few spots to get a player they really like is possible.

"I anticipate them trading up in the first round, just to ensure they get who they want. I'm saying moving up from 21 to 17, give up a third and a sixth, and get a seventh in return. 15 seems like a landing spot, too. This seems like the range they're looking at. You have so much draft capital, and you have a stacked roster; why not use some of them to ensure you get someone you want in the first round?" Kaboly said. 

This range seems appropriate for the Steelers if they want to make a jump. The Steelers' three third-round picks seem like they are going to be the key factor in getting a trade done. The Black and Gold could want to move up to get one of the guys they like who could be on the fringe of getting away from them. This draft is deep at receiver, and the team has hosted multiple first-round prospects for top-30 visits. If one of the top guys were to fall or if the Steelers wanted to jump ahead of their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, they may pull the trigger on making that splash trade. 

The Steelers have some positional needs, like guard, wide receiver, and defensive back. A team like the Ravens could be in play for some of the same needs, and this could motivate the front office to want to jump ahead of them. This same idea applies to any number of teams ahead of Pittsburgh in a similar range. The Steelers brass purposefully stacked draft capital to gain this versatility, and there's a good chance that this will be displayed on draft night. If Pittsburgh wants to make the jump in the draft and as a team overall, a gutsy move could be in order. 

Steelers Being Aggressive Will Help Them In The Long Run

Pittsburgh nailing this draft will be huge for the roster's ability to remain a contender for years to come. The front office has some big contract negotiations coming up in 2027, and the Steelers will more than likely have a new quarterback in 2027. If the team can add depth and surround a new signal-caller with top-tier talent, it will only be easier to remain among the league's best, or at least stay afloat. 

This year's draft will be a true test of the direction the team will go and will be a huge help in adding quality players for the future. A big move could be on the table, and history shows that Khan and his staff are not afraid to make it happen. 

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