The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with a total of 12 selections. However, most fans don't expect general manager Omar Khan to make this many picks in the end. Because there are only so many roster spots to go around, most expect the Steelers to get aggressive with a trade-up or two during the draft.
But Khan might have another bold plan in mind.
On The North Shore Drive podcast, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo explained that he believes Khan could look to trade draft capital this year for picks in next year's draft. In the process, Pittsburgh would gain the firepower needed to take their big quarterback swing in 2027.
"As of right now, if you really want to load up and try to get those first-round picks, teams are really unwilling to. Omar Khan, I think, is going to be trying to trade back into next year's draft. I think it's only natural that he would want to do that.
He did a great job this past offseason of accumulating picks for the potential of drafting a quarterback this year. It only stands to reason that he's going to be looking to do the same in this coming year as well."
Omar Khan could set the Pittsburgh Steelers up for success in the 2027 NFL Draft
If Fittipaldo's prediction is true, it would be bittersweet for Steelers fans. While we want to see the team improve its roster through the draft this year, it makes more sense to trade picks now for additional selections in next year's draft for several reasons.
For starters, the 2026 class isn't considered an elite crop of talent—particularly at the quarterback position. And if the goal is to have enough capital to move around and get a franchise-caliber QB in the 2027 NFL Draft, what better way to do that than to trade picks this year for selections next year?
This bold strategy could also come with a bonus benefit.
Because most front offices don't have a long window to fix their team's roster and produce meaningful results, current picks are typically worth more in trade value than future selections. Thus, the Steelers might be able to trade a 2026 fifth-round pick for a 2027 fourth-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick for a 2027 third-round pick, and so on.
Obviously, this would require finding a trade partner and a team desperate to make added selections in this year's draft. But if this is indeed how Khan is approaching the 2026 NFL Draft, I love the thought process behind trying to load up with picks next year.
The harsh reality is that, even if the Pittsburgh Steelers make all 12 selections in the 2026 draft, without a quarterback, their roster isn't going to get far into the postseason this year.
It's more important to load up on picks in what is expected to be an excellent QB class in 2027 than to make a dozen picks in an unspectacular class and have a handful of guys not even make the Steelers' final roster in 2026.