The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of work to do to maintain the winning culture that continues to be the franchise's mantra. A large chunk of that work will be through the NFL Draft, where General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers brass will have their work cut out for them trying to add impactful youth to the roster. The Steelers have gaping holes on the offensive side of the ball and will look to the draft as a way to improve these spots.
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Steelers GM Omar Khan speaks at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Steelers have a plethora of draft picks this season, while some think they even have an excess of picks. The Steelers received compensatory draft picks based on the losses of tackle Dan Moore, quarterback Russell Wilson, quarterback Justin Fields, and cornerback Donte Jackson in free agency. These picks can prove valuable either by taking a potentially valuable player at the spots or using the picks to trade up. The Steelers received a valuable third-round pick due to Moore's departure, and that pick could be used as a trade piece.
The Steelers are looking for receiver help, along with potential upgrades on the offensive line and at linebacker. Receiver play was a point of emphasis in cleaning up for the Steelers brass as they look at their many options ahead of the draft. Steelers analyst Brian Batko believes there is a pretty real chance, because of all of this, the Steelers will use these extra picks to trade up.
"I imagine Omar Khan and Co. didn't accrue all those draft picks and work the comp. formula expecting to make all of them (draft picks)," said Batko.
The Steelers would be wise to use the smartly acquired compensatory picks as bait to trade up. The team is desperate for young, quality talent this season, as they only have a couple of receivers under contract. The Steelers need to make sure they find a partner for DK Metcalf and could use these picks to trade up for a highly touted young receiver.
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Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers have been known to trade up before, as they recently traded up to the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to select now-former Steelers linebacker, Devin Bush.
How Do The Steelers Approach Trading Up?
The Steelers will have some decisions to make in how they will manage trading up. The choice seems inevitable to do so, as the team is in desperate need of young talent on both sides of the ball, entering a new era under new head coach, Mike McCarthy. McCarthy will play a huge role in helping Khan shape the roster. The Black and Gold will need to be deliberate in how they trade up.
Pittsburgh will need to evaluate what positions of need they deem most valuable (more than likely receiver), and evaluate who is the best available on the board. They have the 21st overall pick and own three third-round picks, so it's safe to say that the excess of third-rounders means that there will be some sort of trade-up on the horizon.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and GM Omar Khan in McCarthy's first team press conference in 2026.
The Steelers have a ton of picks to work with as they evaluate this situation. Some options for their depleted receiver room include Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), and Makai Lemon (USC). Tyson and Tate would be huge targets if Pittsburgh is willing to trade up, as the receivers are projected to be selected in the top 15 picks. Lemon may be available at pick 21, but it may be a stretch.
If the Steelers want to add that high-end receiver talent that they need, the excess in draft picks will be necessary to trade up to get one. They need to be smart in how they draft, as these receivers could be huge potential weapons for whoever plays quarterback for the team this year.
Should the Steelers trade up? Who should they pick if so? Let us know in the comments below.
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