Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: Trade Up/Down Scenarios for Every Round

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of several teams that like to stay put most of the time in the NFL's annual draft. They usually consider taking the best player available regardless of need or position and often make moves that would baffle fans not used to the draft success the Steelers have.

Here's a look at the trade up or down scenarios for each round as well as some of the players that the team will likely be looking at. We'll be looking at more of a scenario-based mock than going into detail on players.

Round One

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Current Pick: 24th Overall

 

Needs for Round

Offensive Line (Especially Tackle)

Cornerback

Defensive Tackle

 

Possible Targets

Mike Adams (OT), Ohio State

Fletcher Cox (DT), Mississippi State

Alfonzo Dennard (CB), Nebraska

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

This I could see happening, especially if they covet Adams. He is moving steadily up the boards I've looked at and he's the one guy that fits a best-player-available and need-based slots. The Steelers could move up a few picks if they feel they need him.

They could always move down to accumulate more picks, but I don't see that helping them unless someone is hot after a prospect and needs the 24th pick badly enough to give up a nice haul in return.

Round Two

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Current Pick: 56th Overall

 

Needs for Round

Inside Linebacker

Cornerback

Running Back

 

Possible Targets

Stephon Gilmore (CB), South Carolina

Bobby Wagner (ILB), Utah State

Doug Martin (RB), Boise State

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

This round I'm pretty sure they'll stay put or move back. There is a ton of talent at a lot of need positions here, so I don't see them getting overly greedy and jumping up unless they really want Gilmore badly.

Moving back makes a lot of sense. They'll likely have nine selections this year, but it wouldn't hurt to grab an extra third or fourth rounder if they could.

Round Three

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Current Pick: 87th Overall

 

Needs for Round

Offensive Guard

Defensive Tackle (If not in first round)

Cornerback

 

Possible Targets

Josh Chapman (NT), Alabama

Brandon Brooks (OG), Miami (OH)

Jayron Hosley (CB), Virginia Tech

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

I don't see movement here. The position targets and the players listed should all be available around the time they select, so the only chance I see of movement here would be if nobody they like is around, they can move down.

In the end, I'd be shocked if they moved from this spot.

Round Four

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Current Pick: 119th Overall

 

Needs for Round

Running Back

Offensive Line

Linebacker

 

Possible Targets

Andrew Datko (OT), Florida State

Audie Cole (LB), NC State

Chris Rainey (RB), Florida

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

This is another round where I don't see movement. We're getting to the point where you're taking players who may or may not pan out in the long term, so moving around isn't as essential unless you're trying to bank picks.

One reason to bet against a lot of movement this year is that the team will have limited cap space unless some kind of miracle comes to their salary list.

Round Five

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Current Pick: 151st Overall

 

Needs for Round

Linebacker

Safety

Offensive Line

 

Possible Targets

Brandon Taylor (S), LSU

Jerry Franklin (ILB), Arkansas

Ryan Miller (OG), Colorado

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

No movement should be expected here. The fifth round doesn't seem like trade territory for anyone unless there's a prospect falling, which is nearly impossible to predict.

Round Six

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Current Pick: 182nd Overall

 

Needs for Round

Offensive Line

Quarterback

Cornerback

 

Possible Targets

Donnie Fletcher (CB), Boston College

Case Keenum (QB), Houston

Lucas Nix (OG), Pittsburgh

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

I don't see it, but this could be a place where the team could try to back down a few picks and accumulate one or two final picks on the cheap. At this point, they should've filled their major needs and are going to be looking for some value.

There's still plenty of value (just look at Keenum).

Round Seven

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Current Pick: 214th Overall

 

Needs for Round

Kicker

Punter

Quarterback

 

Possible Targets

John Brantley (QB), Florida

Carson Wiggs (PK), Purdue

Blair Walsh (PK), Georgia

 

Trade Up/Down Analysis

With a projected three picks in the round, anything can happen here, but at this point, there probably isn't enough value or need to make any trades. Time to finish it out with three picks, hopefully some diamonds in the rough.