Steelers Likely To Face Harsh Reality During 2026 The NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to be aggressive during the 2026 NFL Draft. The front office utilized the compensatory draft formula in order to acquire several extra picks. In total, the Steelers have 12, and the idea of them using all of them is unlikely. This means that they could be used in various trade packages, possibly in the first round. Pittsburgh has hosted a variety of potential first-round talent with its Top 30 visits, and who they select with their first-round pick could be a shock to fans and pundits. 

The idea of the Steelers trading up to get a top prospect in the first round makes sense. They have a stockpile of draft picks to use as ammunition, including three in the third round. It would be a possibility to package pick 21 with one of the third-rounders to move up. 

The Black and Gold need some help on the offensive line and at wide receiver, so the first-round pick targeting one of those areas is possible. However, some of the draft class's best talent at these positions could slip away from Pittsburgh if they remain at pick 21.

CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson believes that there won't be much trade action in the first round, especially after pick 18. Wilson spoke about this on CBS Sports HQ. He responded to the take that there could only be one or two trades occurring in round one. 

"There's been a lot of conversation, online at least, that maybe what's gonna happen is that there will be a lot of trades going on. But I don't see it happening. Everyone's the same, you talk about after pick 18 or so, you can go all the way down to the seventies where there's not a lot of differentiation," Wilson said.

Wilson's idea that not that many trades could happen in this draft is bold; however, it could make some sense. Some teams may be reluctant to move on from their first-round picks, especially after some teams acquired multiple this offseason. 

The Steelers' sheer amount of capital makes it hard to believe that a trade wouldn't happen. Teams may not be quick to budge, but Pittsburgh has its sights set on adding high-quality talent to surround its team with. The team is more than likely going to need a quarterback in 2027, and adding as many pieces around the future signal-caller seems like the direction that General Manager Omar Khan and the front office are going in. 

A trade would really only make sense for Pittsburgh if they traded up to around the 15th pick anyway, as only going up three spots to 18 would do little for them. Pittsburgh's potential top targets at its key positions of need would primarily be in the middle of the first round, and could be just out of reach. If the franchise were to make that splash move, it would have to be between picks 12-15 to really be worthwhile. 

How Could The Steelers Make A Big Round 1 Trade Happen?

As previously mentioned, the Steelers' stockpile of draft capital and their need for a big deal addition to their offense could be a huge reason a trade could happen. The organization hosted Olaivavega Ioane, a guard from Penn State, on one of its Top 30 visits. He's considered by many to be the best at his position in the draft, but is seemingly out of the Steelers' reach where they stand. The Black and Gold have been mocked to select him on several occasions. 

If the front office wants to go out and get a player of Ioane's status, a big trade could be made. A combination of pick 21 and some Day 2 picks would have to be packaged. Pittsburgh's foresight and crafty use of the comp formula allow them to make this trade, but a splash like this for any player at positions the team needs is possible. If Pittsburgh wants to go big game hunting, it'll need to get creative and be aggressive. 

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