Steelers' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make a Splash in 2023 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers possess the luxury of holding three of the first 50 picks in the 2023 NFL draft.

Mike Tomlin's team holds the No. 17 overall pick in the first round and then the No. 32 and No. 49 selections in the second round.

The Steelers do not have a pressing need at quarterback after selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

That means they can sit and back survey how the first round plays out before making a big splash by way of a trade if they want to.

Pittsburgh has no need to move into the top seven as the quarterback-hungry teams potentially deal at all costs to land their preferred targets.

The unpredictability that could come from the top seven selections may make a prospect or two available that Pittsburgh did not think it could land via a trade into the bottom third of the top 10.

The Atlanta Falcons' No. 8 pick could be the focus of the Steelers front office since the NFC South side does not have a glaring need at quarterback and could chose to trade down to collect picks.

Even a trade up into the top 15 could be viewed as a splash for the Steelers if they land a top prospect at one of their positions of need.

Trade with Atlanta to Move Up to No. 8

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 04: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers against Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The highest possible spot the Steelers would likely trade up to is No. 8.

Atlanta does not appear to be in the quarterback market. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith confirmed on Tuesday that the team is going forward with Desmond Ridder as its starter, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Of course, the Falcons' quarterback plans could always change, but for now, they could be an ideal trade partner for anyone beneath them in the first-round order because of their situation.

Only a few things could trigger Pittsburgh's want to move up nine spots. One of the top defensive prospects could fall to No. 8 if the run on quarterbacks is larger than expected. That would mean Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson are selected in some order in the top seven.

Will Anderson will most likely be gone, but what if Tyree Walker of Jalen Carter drops to No. 8? The Steelers could make a run at the best player available on their board.

There could also be a push to No. 8 to land Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez or Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback. That is one of the Steelers' biggest needs, and they could jump other corner-needy teams, like the Philadelphia Eagles, to get their pick of the best defensive backs.

The Steelers would be charged a decent amount by the Falcons, and that may cost them one of their two second-round picks.

Pittsburgh could also work in a few of its late-round selections in a potential deal with Atlanta to preserve the pair of second-rounders.

Proposed Deal: Pittsburgh trades Nos. 17, 80 & 120 picks to Atlanta for No. 8 pick.

Make Deal with Philadelphia for No. 10

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 30: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A deal with the Eagles does not seem like it will happen if you compare the positional needs of both teams.

Philadelphia could use a young cornerback to fill in its depth behind Darius Slay and James Bradberry. The Eagles could draft a potential replacement for either player at No. 10.

Pittsburgh lost Cameron Sutton in free agency and replaced him with Patrick Peterson. It could use a young corner to learn under the 32-year-old veteran in 2023 before taking over as a starter in the future.

While the Eagles and Steelers may have similar needs, the Eagles might welcome a deal because they do not have picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.

The Steelers could package their fourth-round pick and a mid-round selection in 2024 to move up seven spots.

Pittsburgh has one fourth-round selection and two seventh-round picks in 2023 that could be packaged in any trade, but it can't give up all of its picks to add roster depth, which is why a 2024 pick could be added to any deal to sweeten negotiations.

Proposed Trade: Pittsburgh trades Nos. 17 & 120 picks, 2024 third-round pick to Philadelphia for No. 10 pick.

Move Up Four Spots in Deal with Jets

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

A four-spot move to No. 13 would be a more cost-effective trade for the Steelers, and it could still allow them to make a splash.

Pittsburgh may be intrigued by the wide receiver class so that it can add top-tier talent to the Pickett-led offense.

The Steelers achieved success in last year's draft by landing George Pickens. A combination of Pickens, Diontae Johnson and a first-round pick has the potential to wreak havoc on AFC North defenses.

The Jets may be willing to take on more picks in a trade, especially if they have to give up any selections in a potential Aaron Rodgers trade.

Pittsburgh can package its third-round pick along with the No. 17 selection to give the Jets a decent return. That would allow the Steelers to preserve both second-round picks, which has to be the priority in any draft trade negotiations.

The Steelers could be content to stay put at No. 17 because they sit at Nos. 32 and 49, and they could use the second of those picks to move up on Day 2 of the draft in case a prospect who earned a first-round grade from the team's scouting staff drops.

Proposed Trade: Pittsburgh trades Nos. 17 and 80 picks to New York Jets for No. 13 pick