The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the draft with 12 selections\u2014more than enough ammunition to be aggressive if the right opportunity presents itself. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all heard of a handful of teams interested in trading back in the first round. And for what it\u2019s worth, every team is technically open to trading up or down for the right price. But there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s classic model. The Steelers\u2019 first-round pick holds 800 value for reference.<\/p>\n
This first one comes from The Athletic\u2019s Zack Rosenblatt<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n \u2013 Pick No. 2 \u2013 New York Jets (2,600 value)<\/p>\n Scratch that off the list of possibilities for Pittsburgh. Maybe if this was a QB-rich draft class, but it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n 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 \u201calready looking\u201d<\/a> at move-down opportunities.<\/p>\n \u2013 Pick No. 3 \u2013 Arizona Cardinals (2,200 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that the Giants now hold two high picks after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> for the No. 10 overall pick. There are no reports that they want to move back from No. 10, but it\u2019s not hard to imagine as an option given the latest developments.<\/p>\n The Miami Dolphins trading back came directly from the mouth of new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan<\/a>. In pre-draft media sessions, he stated they are more likely to trade back than up.<\/p>\n \u2013 Pick No. 11 \u2013 Miami Dolphins (1,250 value)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s worth consideration.<\/p>\n With anywhere from 11-15 true first-round grades in this class, this is where the talent pool starts to flatten out, so it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> of moving back if the right offer presents itself.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen to all options,\u201d Spytek said. \u201cI didn\u2019t 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\u2026And if someone\u2019s offered us too much to not pick, then we\u2019ll do that too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 Pick No. 14 \u2013 Las Vegas Raiders (1,100 value)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Pick No. 4 \u2013 Tennessee Titans (1,800 value)
\u2013 Pick No. 5 \u2013 New York Giants (1,700 value)
\u2013 Pick No. 6 \u2013 Cleveland Browns (1,600 value)
\u2013 Pick No. 7 \u2013 Washington Commanders (1,500 value)<\/p>\n