The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a bit of an unprecedented situation with having the very first pick of the second-round in the 2023 NFL Draft. With a plethora of talented players still available, the team is in a prime position to land a different maker at pick 32. However, according to NFL Network Insider, Tom Pelissero, Omar Khan has already received phone calls from other general managers in regards to the possibility of trading the selection.
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Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin and General Manager, Omar Khan speak to the media during a pre-draft press conference in 2023.
As Pelissero points out, the inclination around the league is the teams contacting the Steelers are most likely interested in Kentucky quarterback, Will Levis, who was the storyline of night one. Levis was virtually a lock to go inside the top-10, but quickly saw his chances of hearing his name called on Thursday night drop as the Indianapolis Colts opted to go with Anthony Richardson. With multiple organizations still in search of their long-term answer at quarterback, the Steelers hold a tremendous amount of power and may be able to land a significant amount of compensation for letting go of pick 32.
The #Steelers’ phone was already ringing for the No. 32 pick before Round 1 ended, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 28, 2023
Multiple teams made calls to teams at the bottom of the first and were believed to be targeting Kentucky QB Will Levis. Now the bidding is underway for the first pick of Round 2.
The First-Round Results Were Nearly Picture Perfect For The Steelers
The Steelers should be extremely excited about the way in which night one of the draft unfolded. Not only did the team land a franchise-caliber left tackle in Broderick Jones, but they also still have a multitude of players available to them with the first pick in the second-round who could be meaningful contributors during the 2023 season. Additionally, with Levis, as well as Tennessee quarterback, Hendon Hooker, falling outside out the first-round, there are quite a few teams who will be clamoring to trade up.
Will Levis had almost zero chance to *not* be picked in the first round, according to ESPN Analytics.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2023
Where could he land tomorrow? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/LVEsZZjmh7
Optimistically speaking, if a team does decide to make a deal with the Steelers at pick 32, they will be willing to give up a king's ransom to do so. The Steelers currently do not possess a pick in rounds four through six after making a first-round trade with the New England Patriots on Thursday night to give up their fourth-round pick, their only current selections on day three are two seventh-round picks. While the idea of adding a player such as Joey Porter Jr. or Brian Branch at 32 is incredibly intriguing, there may also be value in acquiring additional selections. Furthermore, the Steelers already have another second-rounder at 49 and a third-rounder at 80.
Mark J. Rebilas | USA Today Sports
Brian Branch makes a play on the ball in the College Football Playoffs against Ohio State
Should The Steelers Stay Put At 32 Or Make A Trade Back?
The Steelers find themselves in a tricky situation with the amount of power that they currently hold. Fortunately, this is not a bad problem to have as Khan has until moments before the start of the second-round to weigh his options. Should he decide to make a trade with the 32nd pick, teams such as the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks are teams to keep an eye on. All three teams, in some form or fashion, are in the market for a quarterback and may be willing to strike a deal with the Steelers.
Four teams have engaged the #Steelers with legitimate interest in trading for the No. 32 pick, per sources. Pittsburgh would need an aggressive offer to move off the pick, given the talent available to it should the Steelers stay put.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 28, 2023
Regardless of what Khan decides, the Steelers are off to a great start with the 2023 NFL Draft. With the question of the long-term answer at left tackle solved, the team can now focus more on selecting the best player available. There have been quite a few surprise moves this offseason by Khan. Could he pull out another one this evening and gain the Steelers more picks? Only time will tell. Remain patient, Steeler Nation. Night two of the 2023 NFL Draft has the potential to be one of the most significant moments in the young career of Khan as the Steelers' General Manager.
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis seems to be the consensus to be the last of the big-name quarterbacks to go in the first round.
What Do Yinz Want Omar Khan To Do?
How excited are you for night two of the 2023 NFL Draft? Can you believe Will Levis did not go in the first-round? How about Hendon Hooker? Which players would you like the Steelers to go after? Let us know in the comments!
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