Steelers Eyeing First Round Trade-Up to Land Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers have contacted multiple teams about trading up in the first round to get an offensive tackle, according to a report by Todd McShay of ESPN.

The Steelers had already reportedly spoken to the Chicago Bears about the cost to move up to their pick at No. 9. According to McShay, they have also reached out to the Tennessee Titans at No. 11.

Either way, it seems the Steelers will be looking exclusively at the tackle position if they do move up, with a pick in the nine to 11 range likely netting them one of the top tackles in the draft. 

Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr., Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and Georgia’s Broderick Jones are considered the three top tackle prospects in the draft class. All are predicted to be left tackles at the NFL level and would likely represent immediate upgrades over Steelers incumbent, Dan Moore Jr.

“The Steelers need a long-term answer as protection for Kenny Pickett, and there are three potential cornerstone left tackles in this class who will be available in that range,” McShay wrote.

According to the DraftTek trade value chart, Tennessee’s pick No. 11 is worth 1,250 point and Pittsburgh’s pick No. 17 is worth 950. There is not a convenient way to equalize the value using only 2023 draft picks.

Titans
11 – 1,250
41 – 490
72 – 230
147 – 31.4
186 – 15.4
228 – 1


Steelers
17 – 950
32 – 590
49 – 410
80 – 190
120 – 54
241 – 1
251 – 1

A draft pick-only trade that could work would be Pittsburgh sending picks 17, 32 and 80 to Tennessee for 11 and 41. The Steelers could also send a player to the Titans or try to trade a 2024 draft pick, where the team has its full complement.

The potential trade to the Bears is simpler, with the Steelers sending picks No. 17 and 49 to Chicago for pick No. 9.

As always, the trade value chart is based on previous deals, and while it provides a guess at the cost to make a trade, the market for draft picks will actually determine the return.