Draft-day trade scenarios are fun to talk about, but difficult to predict with so many variables at play. But this year feels different with the Pittsburgh Steelers projected to have 12 draft picks, including five in the first three rounds. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo believes a Steelers trade-up is almost a certainty.

“I can’t remember the last time they drafted that many players. They would have a hard time keeping all [12]. It’s almost certain they’ll try to trade one or two of them to move up for someone,” Fittipaldo said in his weekly Steelers chat. “The plan has been to acquire draft capital for a QB, but with the QB class weaker than expected, maybe it’s for a WR or CB.”

The NFL adopted its current seven-round draft format in 1994. The last time the Steelers made 12 or more selections in one draft class was in 1992. That was the final year of a 12-round format, and they made 14 picks. Even with a normal slate of seven picks in the modern format, it’s not a given that all seven players make the 53-man roster.

With a new head coach, the Steelers’ roster will undergo more turnover than usual. Still, they will be hard-pressed to find 12 roster spots for rookies. The obvious choice is to package some of their picks to move up.

First-round trades are the most exciting, but they could easily trade up multiple times over the first three or four rounds to get the prospects they really want.

The Steelers hold the No. 21 pick in the first round, valued at 1,457 on the trade chart. Their first five picks combine for 4,670 in total value. For context, the No. 1 overall pick alone is worth 3,000. While teams reference these charts, they don’t guarantee the ability to move up strictly on “fair” value.

Some draft analysts have given out just 10-12 true first-round grades in this class. Scarcity increases value, so moving up could cost more than normal.

If a WR is what they’re after, Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, or Jordyn Tyson could be intriguing trade-up targets in the first round. Or perhaps Mansoor Delane, Caleb Downs, Colton Hood, or Jermod McCoy in the secondary.

Others like the idea of trading 2026 draft capital for 2027 selections. That idea makes sense to a degree. There’s an expected wealth of quarterbacks in next year’s class, but executing those types of trades is easier said than done. Other general managers are just as aware of how strong the 2027 class is shaping up to be.

Need I remind everybody how great the 2026 class supposedly was just a year ago? That obviously never panned out.

This year, more than ever, trade-up scenarios are worth a serious look leading up to the draft.