Three Players Pittsburgh Could Risk Trading up for in the 2026 NFL Draft
As the countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft ticks away, the Pittsburgh Steelers still hold onto all 12 of their draft picks. The belief in the NFL is that we can expect a draft-night trade from Pittsburgh. The Steelers' past two first-round trades came in the 2019 NFL Draft, when they traded up from 20 to 10 and selected Devin Bush, who left Pittsburgh immediately after his rookie contract expired, and in the 2023 NFL Draft, when they selected Broderick Jones. Steelers general manager Omar Khan, in his first year as GM, moved up from 17 to 14 to land the offensive tackle from Georgia. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh's likelihood to trade up in the first round is "as high as it's ever been." Dulac goes on to mention that if the Steelers were to trade up, it would likely be for Carnell Tate, Caleb Downs, or Makai Lemon, as he says all three "would require a big move."
Typically, a first-round trade is used to boost a team's interior, as Pittsburgh did in 2023 with Jones. Dulac believes that solidifying the perimeter is the black and gold's number one concern in the first round, and to land a top guy, a trade may be needed. While Tate has emerged as arguably the best receiver in this draft, with analysts mocking him to the Browns at six, the Commanders at seven, or the Falcons at eight, the Steelers have already shown interest in Lemon. For the Steelers to trade up with the Commanders or Falcons, they would need to part with multiple day-two picks, or even a veteran player such as Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig. Both Highsmith and Herbig have been involved in trade talks for all of free agency or longer, but Pittsburgh has not moved on either edge rusher yet. If the Steelers were to go for it on downs, he would likely fall into a similar position. While traditionally, safeties are not taken within the top 10, many view Downs as a "generational talent", with the expectation that he will be off the board before Pittsburgh has a chance to draft him at 21.
As the 2026 NFL Draft quickly approaches, more teams are emerging as potential trade candidates for the Steelers. The Bills and Raiders have already floated ideas, but now the Dolphins at 11, the Buccaneers at 15, and the Jets at 16 have all entered the trade-buzz surrounding Pittsburgh. If the Steel City were to target Lemon, a trade with the Jets or Buccaneers could be a perfect move, and one where they would only have to give up a third-round pick, which they have an abundance of. Dulac mentions that Pittsburgh likely wouldn't trade up for a top lineman such as Vega Ioane or Spencer Fano, as he believes the team will be happy with its offensive line in 2026. With the departure of Isaac Seumalo in free agency, and Jones still recovering from a neck injury he sustained last season, there are concerns with the Steelers' offensive line. A trade up to land one of the top receivers or defensive backs would be an opportunity Pittsburgh couldn't pass on, and their remaining multitude of picks could still be used for offensive line depth.
