Steelers Already Have Perfect Trade-Up Partner In First Round Of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a bit more aggressive from a front office perspective ever since General Manager Omar Khan took over in May of 2022. If there was ever an offseason to truly buy into that mindset, it is 2025. The team has several questions at quarterback and wide receiver, which fans hope to get some answers to prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. The trade market and free agency should see Khan be relatively active, but all of the issues won't be addressed until the end of April. Khan has had some success in drafts to this point, but the upcoming one will be the most important to date for him.

Khan was officially in charge of his first draft during the 2023 offseason. Immediately, in the first round, he made a splash by trading up to land Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick. The organization stayed put in 2024, and the goal of drafting another tackle was achieved. Troy Fautanu was selected with the 20th overall pick. The Steelers' first-rounder in 2025 is almost certain to be a defensive lineman or wide receiver.

Depending on what happens with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tee Higgins, Pittsburgh's division rival could be in the market for a wide receiver come the draft. On top of that, another key spot for the franchise is defensive line. That means that both the Steelers and Bengals have two similar needs, but Cincinnati holds the 17th overall selection, while Pittsburgh is back at 21.

This could provide an interesting situation when it comes to trading up. An NFC team holds the 16th overall pick, which could trigger Khan to make a call come draft night, depending on how the board is falling. The Arizona Cardinals have picks in the first five rounds, as well as the seventh. This is identical to Pittsburgh, which would make trade negotiations interesting, but nowhere near impossible. To move up five spots to 16 and jump the Bengals, Khan would need to be aggressive.

There could be a small hesitance for the Cardinals in this scenario as dropping back to the 21st pick would allow a division rival in the Seattle Seahawks to pick before them. It just so happens that both the Seahawks and Cardinals could use a pass-rusher. However, if the price is right, General Manager Monti Ossenfort could be willing to pass along the 16th pick to Khan, which would allow the Steelers to strategically jump over the Bengals.

All of this hypothetical talk is dependent on what happens with the first 15 picks of the draft. There could be several defensive line and wide receiver prospects that are still available at that point, which would lead to Pittsburgh being comfortable remaining at 21. Overall, Khan making a call to Ossenfort isn't too egregious in terms of what would be required to get a deal done.

For reference, when the Steelers moved all the way up from 20 to 10 in 2019 to draft Devin Bush, the organization gave up its original first and second-round picks while also passing along a 2020 third-rounder. If that is the price to hop up 10 spots, moving up half of that might not be an unreasonable goal to have. The last thing Pittsburgh wants is its favorite prospect to end up with the Bengals.

Steelers' Day One Draft Decision Could Oddly Depend On Tee Higgins' Contract Status 

If the Bengals do end up extending Higgins, it's very unlikely that they will select a wide receiver in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh, at that point, should be willing to take its chances at 21. If Khan is uncomfortable as Cincinnati's pick approaches, however, it should not surprise anyone if he makes an aggressive move to leapfrog the Bengals and pick at 16.

Do you think that Khan will be active on the first day of the draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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