The Pittsburgh Steelers are on track to hold a dozen selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Mike McCarthy's new team has no shortage of roster needs. But while talent could stand to be upgraded at practically every position, it's hard to envision the Steelers standing pat and making 12 selections this April.
We are already getting a sense of which players could be available to the Steelers and who could be highest on their board when they're on the clock with the 21st overall pick in the first round. However, with the draft capital at hand, Omar Khan might be destined to shake things up in a big way.
In my latest three-round mock draft, I have the Steelers pitching their old draft board for a revised plan that includes moving up to grab a superstar weapon.
Omar Khan gets aggressive with trades in this 3-round Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft
TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers trade with Dallas Cowboys for pick 12
Round 1 | Pick 13 (via Cowboys): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
For Mike McCarthy to unleash the full force of his offense, he needs a do-it-all wide receiver who can manipulate coverages both from the slot and the boundary. This doesn't fit the description of DK Metcalf. Khan will be aware of the stark talent gap between WR3 and WR4 in this year's draft and could look to capitalize.
In this mock scenario, Jordyn Tyson is the receiver who falls to the Cowboys at pick 12 before the Steelers execute a trade-up. Tyson is no less talented than Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon, as his natural ability shows up routinely on film. However, a catastrophic knee injury that caused him to miss the 2023 season—and after missing time in 2025—some teams will have medical concerns.
Tyson might be the best fit with McCarthy of any receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys lack a second-round pick this year after trading for Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and a trade-back makes sense for both parties.
TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers trade with New Orleans Saints for pick 42
Round 2 | Pick 42 (via Saints): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Steelers are unlikely to take a swing at a quarterback in the first round this year, considering there isn't a QB expected to be worthy of that selection. However, Khan can't help but take a stab at landing Pittsburgh's next franchise quarterback in Round 2, as Ty Simpson slides.
With the Steelers' second-round pick already traded to Dallas in this scenario, I have Pittsburgh giving up two of their three third-rounders this year and a third-round pick next year to the New Orleans Saints for pick No. 42 and a fifth-rounder in the 2027 draft.
While surrendering three total third-round picks feels like a lot, it's a small price for the Steelers to pay for a chance to land their future QB. Simpson is a one-year wonder in college who needs a redshirt season in the NFL. He has the traits to develop into a quality starter in McCarthy's offense.
Khan jumping ahead of QB-needy teams like the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets would make sense in this scenario if Simpson were still on the board.
Round 3 | Pick 99 (compensatory): Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Even with two early trades in this Steelers mock draft, Pittsburgh would still have 10 selections to work with in 2026, including their third-round compensatory pick (thank you, Dan Moore Jr.). With this pick, I have the Steelers addressing the cornerback position with Florida product Devin Moore.
Moore is coming off an impressive season with the Gators. Standing over 6'2'' and roughly 198 pounds, the rangy CB would be an excellent pairing with Joey Porter Jr., and the third-round pick would likely compete with a free-agent signing for a role on defense early in his career.
Moore is an excellent run defender with length and blended coverage ability in zone and man. He would be an ideal fit in Patrick Graham's defense.