Steelers' Safety Plan Could Collapse Before Pick No. 21

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a unique situation as they enter the beginning stages of free agency and the new NFL league year. General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers brass have addressed some of the issues regarding depth and holes on their roster with their early acquisitions thus far. Position groups like wide receiver, cornerback, and running back have gotten huge upgrades; however, safety remains a glaring issue. While there is a lot of speculation regarding what the Steelers plan to do with their first-round pick, a position that should be considered is certainly safety. The Steelers are losing a lot of help in that position group, and could use an upgrade alongside their starter, DeShon Elliott. 

The Steelers have been a name to watch to trade up in this year's NFL Draft already. The team isn't bound to one position group, as many need a slight boost, and this draft is deep at positions of need like cornerback and receiver. However, the class has two clear-cut first-round safeties. Those two are Ohio State's Caleb Downs and Oregon's Dillon Thieneman. The two are considered the best of the draft, with Downs projected to be a top 12 pick. Draft analyst Mel Kiper is projecting him as early as pick 2 to the New York Jets. This creates a scenario where Pittsburgh would more than likely need to trade up to nab a top safety. The Steelers have the capital to do so too, as they were recently awarded their compensatory picks for 2026. They received four picks, including picks 99, 135, 214, and 216. These most certainly could be used as compensation to trade up for one of the two safeties mentioned. However, there is a great detail that Pittsburgh will need to consider before drafting either one of them. 

The two have played a majority of snaps in the box or as a strong safety. The Black and Gold will need to feel comfortable converting them to free safety if they want to make the big move for them. Elliott plays in the box and is very good at it; this creates the need for a coverage safety that is comfortable playing centerfield. The Steelers need to feel good picking the player who would benefit the most from that switch. Steelers beat writer Christopher Carter commented on the Steelers' safety situation during an episode of the North Shore Drive podcast. 

"Out of the players the Steelers brought in for formal interviews, some of these guys aren't free safeties, at least not in college. Dillon Thieneman played 811 defensive snaps; only 247 were at free safety," explained Carter. "It might take switching positions. I imagine if the Steelers get a safety in the first round, it's because they've traded up. I think Thieneman and Downs get picked in the top 20."

The Steelers have the capital to pull off a massive trade-up in the first round. It's just a matter of how much the front office values the need for the safety spot and if they're willing to make a priority in the earlier rounds.

Downs has proven to be a top collegiate safety, as well as Thieneman; however a slight difference in the type of safety positiion they play could make Pittsburgh hold off on a possible trade-up.

The Steelers Need Help At Safety

The Steelers just signed Darnell Savage to a one-year deal to add depth in the safety room; however, he is likely just that, a depth piece. The team will continue to look for another starter to go along with Elliott. It is unclear, as of now, what the Steelers have in store for Jalen Ramsey's role on the defense, but either way, the Steelers would benefit from adding a young safety to their group. 

Elliott is coming off what was diagnosed as a hyperextended knee, which kept him out for the majority of the 2025 season. It's up in the air if he will still play at the same level after such a big injury, and the Steelers need to prepare to have multiple options in that position group. Drafting a young safety could put worries at ease about the uncertainty that is the Steelers' safety room. 

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