It was speculated for fairly a while that the Pittsburgh Steelers had been trying to transfer George Pickens forward of him being despatched to the Dallas Cowboys. The chatter began to get louder across the 2025 NFL when it was reported that Pickens was being shopped for a Day Two choose. Finally, they did get a Day Two choose, however in 2026 not 2025.
James Palmer of Underdog Fantasy not too long ago defined on his podcast with Steve Smith Sr. why the staff valued a 2026 choose over one from 2025.
“The compensation that they find yourself getting, this third spherical choose in 2026 and this fifth spherical choose in 2027 and the comp picks they’re going to have in 2027,” stated Palmer. “They’re aggressively, to my understanding, going after a quarterback within the 2026 Draft on the high of the draft which is a greater class than this previous one.”
Ever for the reason that Steelers let gamers like Dan Moore Jr., Russell Wilson and Justin Fields stroll in free company this offseason, analysts have been connecting the dots on what the Steelers’ plans could also be sooner or later. Particularly, compiling as many compensatory picks as attainable to make a transfer up within the 2026 NFL Draft and choose their future quarterback.
Omar Khan himself admitted that the compensatory choose technique is one the staff is utilizing throughout his press convention on Friday.
“It was necessary for us to acknowledge the truth that we could possibly be ready to amass comp picks subsequent 12 months,” Khan stated Friday throughout a press convention through 93.7 The Fan. “You guys noticed how we did issues within the offseason.”
The George Pickens commerce and its give attention to the 2026 Draft solely provides extra ammo to the warchest, which is presently slated to incorporate 4 compensatory picks. Seemingly teething with draft capital, it appears doubtless that Palmer’s clarification behind the staff dealing Pickens for a 2026 choose has advantage.
“Individuals had been speaking a few George Pickens commerce through the draft,” stated Palmer. “They didn’t need 2025 capital, they wished 2026 capital as a result of that’s the place the expertise is at quarterback.”
Like yearly, regardless of what analysts say, we actually don’t know what the 2026 quarterback class will appear like. Actually, it appears to have extra fascinating names like LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar and probably Arch Manning, however none are the right prospect.
On high of that, the Steelers don’t seem to be the one staff loading up for the 2026 QB Draft class. Each the Rams and the Browns made draft day trades, hinting that they could possibly be within the enterprise for a commerce up. Zin quick, the give attention to the 2026 class is a measured gamble and one which the Steelers want to ensure they hit on if they’re going to flip the franchise round.
