Rapoport: Steelers Calling Teams About Trading Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers are working the phones and are trying to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Ian Rapoport and Todd McShay. Rapoport notes that the Steelers are one of many teams that want to move up to land a player, while there is a robust market to trade back.

“The Steelers have made calls about potentially trading up as well,” Rapoport said.

McShay reiterated the same thing on X, the app formerly known as Twitter.

No 2024 NFL Mock Draft ⛓️ for me. But here’s what I’m hearing…

1. CHI QB Caleb ☑️
2. WASH QB Jayden ☑️
3. NE plan:
-HIGHLY LIKELY the Pats stick and pick Maye.
-Would only move back if A. They get a HAUL to move back and B. They have a 2nd trade in place with AZ at 4 or LAC at…

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 25, 2024

As for who they are trying to trade up for and how far they are willing to go, that is anyone’s guess. But two reports have stated they could move up in the past week. Tony Pauline reported that the Steelers wanted to move up for Quinyon Mitchell, while Mel Kiper said the Steelers could try to trade up for Graham Barton.

“Barton, my top-ranked center, has been a hot name in my calls with execs and coaches over the past week. People in the league think he’ll be really good immediately at the next level. Pittsburgh, which picks at No. 20 and has had big-time centers throughout its history, is the team most linked with Barton (Duke). I don’t think it’s out of the question Mike Tomlin & Co. trade up a few spots to make sure they get him,” Kiper wrote.

Of course, this could be a move to get a top tackle, like Olu Fashanu, Troy Fautanu, or someone else. Regardless, Omar Khan seems like the type of general manager to work the phones vigorously, and that is exactly what he is doing on Thursday in preparation for the Steelers to try and make a splash.