The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the draft with 12 selections—more than enough ammunition to be aggressive if the right opportunity presents itself. That’s not limited to small moves of just a few picks, but could also include more substantial deals to get into the top 10 with the right opportunity.
We’ve all heard of a handful of teams interested in trading back in the first round. And for what it’s worth, every team is technically open to trading up or down for the right price. But there’s a difference between the general willingness to do so that always exists, and credible reports that suggest it as an ongoing goal leading up to the event.
I thought it would be interesting to compile all of those reports in one place for a master list of potential trade-up opportunities for the Steelers. I will also include the draft pick trade value chart according to Jimmy Johnson’s classic model. The Steelers’ first-round pick holds 800 value for reference.
This first one comes from The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, stating the Jets have already had some conversations about moving back, though he labeled it unlikely unless a team was willing to give up significant 2027 picks in addition to current value. The Jets also have two first-round picks, which is something worth remembering in trade scenarios.
– Pick No. 2 – New York Jets (2,600 value)
Scratch that off the list of possibilities for Pittsburgh. Maybe if this was a QB-rich draft class, but it’s not.
These next five all come from the same Albert Breer report on SI.com, indicating that the five teams after the New York Jets are “already looking” at move-down opportunities.
– Pick No. 3 – Arizona Cardinals (2,200 value)
– Pick No. 4 – Tennessee Titans (1,800 value)
– Pick No. 5 – New York Giants (1,700 value)
– Pick No. 6 – Cleveland Browns (1,600 value)
– Pick No. 7 – Washington Commanders (1,500 value)
All five options probably too high for the Steelers at No. 21, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility if they love a prospect like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Caleb Downs, or maybe even Makai Lemon. The Commanders would be the most realistic with a 700 value gap between the picks, but that would still cost quite a lot to get the deal done.
It’s worth noting that the Giants now hold two high picks after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick. There are no reports that they want to move back from No. 10, but it’s not hard to imagine as an option given the latest developments.
The Miami Dolphins trading back came directly from the mouth of new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. In pre-draft media sessions, he stated they are more likely to trade back than up.
– Pick No. 11 – Miami Dolphins (1,250 value)
This is where it started to feel much more realistic for the Steelers to make a move. A difference of 450 trade value is substantial, but Pittsburgh owns five total picks in the top 100. If somebody unexpectedly falls out of the top 10, this could be the move. Notably, the highest-drafted safety since at least 2018 was Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 11. If Caleb Downs falls because of positional value, it’s worth consideration.
With anywhere from 11-15 true first-round grades in this class, this is where the talent pool starts to flatten out, so it’s no surprising that most teams would be willing to trade back around here where the trade value is sky-high just outside the top 10.
The Raiders will select QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, but they have a second first-round pick at No. 14. GM John Spytek addressed the possibility of moving back if the right offer presents itself.
“Open to all options,” Spytek said. “I didn’t think that we were going to trade down twice in the second round last year, but we felt like the trade offers that we got were just too good to pass up…And if someone’s offered us too much to not pick, then we’ll do that too.”
– Pick No. 14 – Las Vegas Raiders (1,100 value)
According to trade value charts, this would cost the Steelers less than their second-round pick to move up seven spots. That could be worth considering.
The Buccaneers have traded down three times during Jason Licht’s GM tenure, and he hinted at the possibility again. But it sounds like they would only be open to moving back a few spots in the right scenario. Six spots might be a tough sell unless many of their draft targets are already off the board.
“In a lot of scenarios that we’re working through, yeah,” Licht said of considering a move down the board. “But the part of that that makes it difficult is you’ve got to find a trade partner. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes teams just don’t want to move up. They don’t want to give up picks, and I understand why.”
– Pick No. 15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1,050 value)
If somebody like Vega Ioane, Spencer Fano, Dillon Thieneman or Makai Lemon drop into this range, the Steelers could definitely consider a move.
These are just the teams that have either made their intentions public, or have credible reports about their intentions. In my final mock, for example, I had the Steelers moving up with the Dallas Cowboys. Moving up without getting rid of picks (by trading Patrick Queen) is too attractive of a proposition to pass up on.
Omar Khan will speak to the media on Monday. He’s unlikely to tip his hand, but having 12 picks is an obvious sign that they’re open for business. A trade-up should not be ruled out.