With the 2026 NFL Draft just weeks away, everyone is preparing in their own way. Most are running multiple NFL Draft mock draft simulators and others will read as many NFL Mock Drafts to try and get acquainted with what prospects might be selected by their favorites teams.

As for Bill Barnwell of ESPN, he went through and predicted trades for every team who possesses a 32 NFL Draft 1st Round pick. When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he projects more than one trade option in the 1st Round. He has more than one trade up in the draft, and even a late round trade for a current Steelers player.

Here is a quick synopsis of what Barnwell is thinking as he approached this exercise:

“I’m bringing my annual mock draft consisting entirely of trades to you. It is, to put it nicely, a thought exercise. Each trade occurs in its own universe, so what happened in the trade for the first overall pick doesn’t exist in the trades that occur for any of the other 31 selections. I’ll also mention scenarios where a player falls unexpectedly or a team wants to move on from a veteran, which helps create a context where a deal would make sense.”

Let’s get to the predicted trades for the black-and-gold:

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers get: 1-21, 3-76, 4-135
Steelers get: 1-15, 6-195

“For Jason Licht and the Buccaneers, trading up or down would really be about feeling out the board and whether they can be patient at their preferred positions. Cornerback and edge feel like the biggest needs for Tampa Bay, and there will be different options at different tiers throughout the first round for the Bucs. If they feel like they can trade down and still land somebody such as Mesidor, Parker or Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) at No. 21, moving down and adding two middle-rounds picks wouldn’t be too painful.

“The Steelers would be moving up here in an attempt to land Simpson. There’s a decent chance that they could land him at 21, but with the Jets picking at No. 16, general manager Omar Khan would have to be reasonably worried that New York would be willing to take the Alabama quarterback in the middle of the first round as opposed waiting until the start of Round 2.

“The rules roughly go out the window when teams are moving up for quarterbacks, but this wouldn’t even be an exorbitant price, with the Steelers ceding one of their three third-round picks and a fourth-round compensatory selection to jump ahead of the Jets. While there are those in Pittsburgh who are fond of sixth-round pick Will Howard, the Ohio State product hasn’t yet taken a preseason or regular-season snap. Simpson would slot in as the QB2 in 2026 behind a veteran, most likely Aaron Rodgers, before taking over as the long-term option for the Steelers in 2027.”

The Steelers moving up in the 1st Round without giving up a 2nd Round pick would absolutely be okay with most fans, but to get Ty Simpson would absolutely stun many fans.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers get: 1-11, 2027 sixth-round pick
Dolphins get: 1-21, 3-76, 2027 second-round pick

“Call it a hunch. The Steelers don’t often make major moves up the board, but when they have in Round 1, it usually has been for defenders they see as future superstars. In 2003, the Steelers went from 27 to 16 and grabbed safety Troy Polamalu. That one worked out pretty well. In 2019, Pittsburgh moved up from No. 20 to No. 10 and took linebacker Devin Bush. Though Bush is coming off a career year, that season came in Cleveland, as injuries limited Bush’s impact in Pittsburgh.

“If he falls out of the top 10, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs keeps lingering in my head as a player who could fascinate the Steelers. Downs has incredible instincts and football savvy. He’s a big hitter. Downs is also a playmaker, generating 12.5 tackles for loss, four picks and two forced fumbles in his two years with the Buckeyes. He’s widely regarded as one of the top-10 players in this draft, but as we’ve seen with prospects such as Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James Jr. in the past, safeties have a way of falling further than predraft boards suggest when teams are making selections.

“On paper, the Steelers don’t need immediate help at safety. Jalen Ramsey converted over from cornerback in-season a year ago. DeShon Elliott should return after an injury-impacted 2025. Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan also signed Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal in free agency, adding another playmaker at the position this offseason.

“Remember, though, that the Steelers are willing to let even their first-round picks on defense sit and learn in reserve or situational roles as rookies. Polamalu didn’t start during his rookie campaign. Bush started 15 games, but the Steelers subbed him off the field regularly for third downs. Downs wouldn’t need a direct path to a starting role to justify this deal.

“And though that safety room looks stacked, there are not a lot of long-term options. Brisker’s contract expires after this year. Elliott has no more guaranteed money on his deal, and though the Steelers paid him a $2.1 million bonus in March, the 28-year-old could still be a potential cap casualty before the start of the season. Ramsey could move back to cornerback this season, but even if he stays at safety, it’s no sure thing that the Steelers will be comfortable paying him $19.7 million in 2027.

“The Steelers have three third-round picks in 2026, courtesy of the George Pickens trade and Dan Moore Jr.’s departure for the Titans in free agency. If they see Downs as a future Hall of Famer at safety, moving up for a star-caliber difference-maker would be a defensible tactic. The Dolphins would welcome another Day 2 pick in this year’s draft, and they’d also land a second-round pick in 2027, which could be very appealing if the Steelers do suffer after Mike Tomlin’s retirement.”

Again, the Steelers moving up to pick No. 11 to get Caleb Downs would be a huge get for the Steelers defense. Not having to give up a 2nd Round pick this year is also a bonus, even though they are surrendering a 2027 2nd Round pick in this mock trade scenario. Going up to get a guy who could anchor the back end of the defense for over a decade would not just be a shock, but would absolutely send shockwaves throughout the AFC North.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)

Chiefs get: 2-53, 4-121, Edge Alex Highsmith
Steelers get: 1-29

“The Chiefs got this pick from the Rams by trading away a key part of their defense in Trent McDuffie. Let’s try to land them an impact player while still retaining some of that much-needed draft capital. Highsmith has been a consistently productive pass rusher for the Steelers, averaging nearly 11 sacks per 17 games over the past four seasons. He has missed nine games over the past two years, though, which isn’t ideal for a Chiefs team that prioritizes availability. Still, Highsmith is an effective two-way edge defender who could immediately step in as a valuable secondary edge rusher alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. He has also posted above-average missed tackle rates throughout his career, something the Chiefs also focus on with their defenders.

“Helpfully for the Chiefs, Highsmith’s contract is also affordable, as the veteran is owed $14.5 million in 2026 and $15.5 million in 2027, none of which is guaranteed. The Chiefs might want to revisit that contract before Highsmith hits free agency in 2028, but that’s very reasonable for a player with Highsmith’s consistency. Playing across from T.J. Watt helps, of course, but Highsmith would similarly benefit from the attention focused on Jones in Kansas City.

“Trading Highsmith would open a spot in the Steelers’ starting lineup for Nick Herbig, who has been one of the most efficient pass rushers in football on a snap-by-snap basis over the past couple of seasons while serving as the third edge. Herbig is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Steelers won’t want to lose the former fourth-round pick for nothing in free agency. Coming off a 7.5-sack, 18-knockdown season, the Steelers could move Highsmith, sign Herbig to an extension and add more draft capital. This trade would value Highsmith as the 74th pick in a typical draft, a selection coming early in Round 3.

“With two first-round picks, the Steelers could make a massive move up the board if this were part of a larger deal. Solely focusing on No. 29, though, this would be another way for the Steelers to get ahead of teams at the start of Round 2 for Ty Simpson or for them to add help elsewhere. Pittsburgh used a first-round pick on Broderick Jones to serve as its potential left tackle of the future, but he hasn’t excelled anywhere on the line and suffered a scary neck injury last season. If Jones’ viability is a concern, either because of his play or injury, moving up here for a left tackle prospect might make sense for Pittsburgh.”

The Steelers moving Highsmith and getting a second 1st Round draft pick would be a move I actually could see them making. As Barnwell points out, getting rid of Highsmith’s contract could allow them to sign Herbig to an extension and keep their pass rush as stout as before. Gaining a second 1st Round pick would also give them a lot of options as to what they could do based on players available. I’m not sure I buy this trade would cost a 2nd, 4th and Highsmith, that sounds steep for a 29th pick, but I wouldn’t be shocked if something like this happened on draft day.

What do you think about these proposed trades? Would you be on board with any of these? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.