The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that has a ton of capital heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. The franchise has 12 selections in the event, and it is very unlikely that the team will be using them all. Bringing 12 drafted rookies into training camp at the end of July is probably not something that the organization wants to do, so some of the draft capital may be used to move up in the event, or exchanged for capital in 2027. The only issue with trades throughout the draft is that it takes two to tango, and sometimes it is difficult to find a trade partner.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
General Manager Omar Khan has done a good job with making trades during the NFL Draft ever since his first one as the general manager back in 2023. He will certainly be active throughout the event in 2026, but it may be difficult. A lot of teams are already high on the 2027 NFL Draft, so trading picks this year for capital next year might be hard. There are also a few organizations who don't seem to be too impressed with the crop of players entering the NFL this time around, which may make them disinterested in a trade.
Beat writer Brian Batko was asked about all the picks Pittsburgh has during a mailbag for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he doesn't seem to optimistic about the potential trade market during the event.
"Yeah, I’d be trying to package picks to move up in this draft or stockpile assets next year," Batko wrote. "But how much are teams going to value those late seventh-rounders? Probably not much. Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers only have five picks each, so I suppose they could be interested in taking a couple extra swings or three. San Francisco and Washington have six apiece. And the reigning Super Bowl champions have a league-low four, but Seattle has been candid about a general lack of belief in this draft compared to 2027."
Three of the Steelers' 12 selections in the draft come in the seventh round of the event, which is certainly not ideal. Teams do not value seventh-round picks too much, but a team like the Atlanta Falcons or Los Angeles Chargers might be willing to take a pick or two just so they have some extra swings.
Associated Press
Falcons General Manager Ian Cunningham after being introduced during the 2026 offseason.
The more interesting part of Batko's answer was his comment on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has a league-low number of draft picks with just four, although the franchise is seemingly content with that, as it does not have much faith in the 2026 draft class. If the reigning Super Bowl Champions feel that way, it is hard to feel good about the idea that the Steelers will be able to flip some of these picks.
The idea throughout the offseason has been that the Steelers will be able to use some of this 2026 draft capital to earn capital in 2027, which is supposed to be a better overall class, especially at the quarterback position. Gaining more capital in 2027 would give Pittsburgh a better chance to move up in the event next year and hopefully land its next franchise quarterback.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Owner Art Rooney II on the field at a team practices while having a discussion.
Steelers Have Been Encouraged To Use All 12 Selections
Despite the fact that the clear move for the Steelers to make would be to move on from some of their draft picks, some have been encouraging the franchise to keep them all. The argument for this would be the fact that the defensive side of the ball is aging for the organization, and acquiring as much youth and depth as possible is important. That is certainly one train of thought, although that doesn't mean it is the correct one.
What do you expect the Steelers to be able to do during the 2026 NFL Draft? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
#SteelerNation