Given the reputation general manager Omar Khan has built through his previous trade activity, do not expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a quiet approach at the NFL Draft. The team holds 12 picks, and using all of them would be surprising. Instead, Khan appears poised to leverage that draft capital through trades, positioning the Steelers to assemble a stronger and more impactful rookie class.
Two trades are finalized in this mock draft as Pittsburgh shows urgency in moving up for a wide receiver in Round 1.
What may be most intriguing is how aggressive Khan could be on Day Two of the draft. If a coveted prospect slips out of the first round, Khan may look to strike a deal near the top of Round 2 and create momentum quickly. The situation could become interesting in a hurry.
Pittsburgh Steelers use multiple trades in 2-round mock draft to start elite class
As the first round of the mock draft unfolds, the Steelers remain patient early. Several of the top wide receivers come off the board within the top 10 picks, yet Pittsburgh still holds out hope of trading up for Jordyn Tyson. Those efforts ultimately fall short, and Tyson is selected before the Steelers can make a move. Forced to adjust, Pittsburgh pivots and becomes aggressive.
Round 1 | Pick 18 (via MIN): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
After completing a trade with the Vikings to secure their final wide receiver graded as a first-round target, the Steelers select Omar Cooper Jr. He has enjoyed an impressive pre-draft process and has been connected to the franchise in numerous mock drafts. As draft day approaches, Cooper continues to emerge as one of the leading candidates to become Pittsburgh’s first-round pick.
Cooper is an intriguing playmaker out of Indiana who recently won a championship. While he was not the team’s primary target throughout the season, he consistently flashed as an explosive and versatile weapon. Cooper has the ability to line up both inside and outside, adding valuable flexibility to an offense.
As his draft stock continues to rise, it may not be the most popular move, but trading up in the first round could be a necessary step for Pittsburgh to secure him.
As the second round of the mock draft unfolds, the Steelers find themselves monitoring several intriguing prospects worth trading up for. If a player they evaluated as a first-round talent slips into the early portion of Day Two of the NFL Draft, standing pat would make little sense. Even after an earlier trade, Pittsburgh still holds 11 picks, giving them ample flexibility to move again.
Round 2 | Pick 36 (via LV): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The move required Pittsburgh to part with valuable draft assets, but the opportunity to trade up for Emmanuel McNeil Warren was too compelling to ignore. Selecting a safety at some point in the NFL Draft has long appeared inevitable for the Steelers.
While the team added Jaquan Brisker in free agency, his one-year contract leaves room for a long-term solution at the position, making further investment in the draft a logical step.
In this mock draft, McNeil Warren slides out of the first round as no team selects him on Day One. He continues to fall through the early portion of the second round, creating an unexpected opportunity. The Steelers previously hosted him for a pre-draft visit, and many evaluators view him as a clear first-round talent. Pittsburgh ultimately parts with a third-round pick to move up for McNeil Warren.
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