Insider reporting indicates the Steelers have received inquiries on several players in the lead-up to the draft, though no deals have been finalized. The most closely watched area is the outside linebacker group, which includes T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Jack Sawyer, a unit that other teams clearly view as valuable.
Still, the author of the report stresses that the odds of Pittsburgh actually trading an edge-rusher are extremely small. The Steelers’ depth and production at that position are cited as reasons to think the team will largely stand pat, with any potential move viewed as more about freeing up a path for a younger player than offloading a veteran.
If the Steelers do consider moving, the motive would likely be to create a clearer path for a burgeoning talent like Herbig, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, or to adjust playing time for Highsmith after a 9.5-sack season. A trade remains unlikely, but the possibility exists as part of a broader draft strategy.
Beyond trades, Pittsburgh could look to move up in the draft to maximize value. With 12 picks at their disposal, the Steelers could pair later selections to climb into the first round or reach Day Two targets, potentially landing a slot wide receiver to bolster the receiving corps or even a replacement for a Pro Bowl guard Isaac Seumalo.
All eyes are on general manager Omar Khan as the Steelers navigate the draft landscape, weighing immediate competitiveness against long-term depth. The team’s approach suggests a calculated, flexible plan designed to capitalize on their draft capital while contending now.
