The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft next month, and with 12 selections, it's almost inevitable that general manager Omar Khan trades up at least once. But moving up in Round 1 might not be the best course of action, judging by when prospects are expected to be flying off the shelf.
There's no doubt that Khan—along with head coach Mike McCarthy and assistant GM Andy Weidl—have their eyes on a handful of first-round prospects. Pittsburgh's brass may already have narrowed down their prospects at pick No. 21 to a couple of names.
But looking ahead, trading up high into the second round could give the Steelers the best bang for their buck.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should trade up in Round 2 of the NFL Draft for falling talent
There are a few select players who, if they fall within the Steelers' range, could be worth a trade-up in Round 1. USC receiver Makai Lemon and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson quickly come to mind. But the Steelers shouldn't part with significant draft capital to move high into the first round.
Jumping from pick No. 21 to pick No. 12, for example, could cost the Steelers a first-round, a second-round, and a Day 3 pick. While this method would allow Khan to secure the player the team wants, there might be a better strategy.
In Round 1 of the draft, the Steelers could take the BPA (best player available) approach with the 21st overall pick. With needs at guard, wide receiver, and cornerback, there will be no shortage of options, and all of the best remaining players should be on the table.
In the second round, however, is when Pittsburgh should look to move up.
Every year, we see talented players slide into the second round—and where the talent is too good to pass up, that's when the Steelers should strike. Instead of moving up from pick No. 21 in the first round, the Steelers should consider trading up from pick No. 53 in Round 2 for any top talents remaining at great value who would fill major holes or be foundation roster pieces.
For instance, a player like Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon is expected to be an early second-round pick, thanks to an exceptionally rare blend of size, athleticism, and power, with impressive 2025 tape. If Pregnon falls into the late 30s or early 40s, Pittsburgh could trade up for a potential long-term starting offensive lineman for a fraction of the price of a Round 1 trade-up.
The Steelers could also consider a second-round trade up if one of the top seven offensive tackles starts to slip or if a wide receiver like Texas A&M's KC Concepcion falls into the 30s.
Pittsburgh could even trade up for a projected future starting cornerback, like Brandon Cisse or Chris Johnson—who are expected to be off the board in the first half of Round 2—or even for a linebacker like Jacob Rodriguez, who might be the best player on the board early in the second round.
According to the NFL Draft Trade Value Chart, it would cost the Steelers less to jump from pick No. 53 to pick No. 34 in Round 2 (a nearly 20-spot jump) than it would be to move up from pick No. 21 to pick No. 16 in Round 1 (just a five-spot increase).
The logic behind this is that the Pittsburgh Steelers could potentially land a pair of first-round graded players—one at pick No. 21 and one high in the second round—while still holding onto a pair of third-round selections and a cluster of Day 3 picks.
With a dozen picks, the Steelers are going to trade up at some point—that feels like a given. Based on how the NFL Draft could fall, it might be best for Khan and company to make their big trade-up move early on Day 2 of the draft.