NFL Draft rumors: Run on huge Steelers need could force trade up

An appetite for a position the Pittsburgh Steelers are coveting could force them to trade up during Thursday’s NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft is just a day away at the time of this article’s publication, and it’s expected to be more chaotic than ever before. There is little known about this draft and where, precisely, players will end up being selected beyond Bryce Young at No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers. Even that was put up for question at various points this week.

While the specifics are more guarded and cloudy this year, general themes are starting to emerge, especially around various positions.

One of the rumors related to a specific position in this year’s draft could end up impacting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a big way.

Here’s what Albert Breer reported in his latest for SI (subscription may be required):

A potential theme to watch for Thursday night: teams jockeying for offensive linemen between picks Nos. 10 and 19. I’d bet, at this point, that Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski will be gone before then. And from there, you have the Eagles, Titans, Packers, Patriots, Jets, Commanders, Steelers and Buccaneers in a nine-pick stretch all potentially looking for linemen.

Steelers may need to trade up in NFL Draft to get best of key position

Breer’s report tells us two key things: There’s going to be a flurry of offensive linemen off the board between 10 and 19, and the two best of this year’s bunch are likely to be gone before even that.

The Steelers aren’t currently slated to pick toward the end of that grouping. So they’re looking at possibly getting the ninth-best player in the position group available this year. Even if a few of the teams Breer mentions don’t take an OL, the Steelers are still probably looking at getting the fourth or fifth-best lineman.

If Pittsburgh is serious about adding strength on the line to protect the now-sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett, they should go out and get the best. Assuming a trade is a viable option to move up and get Paris Johnson Jr. or Peter Skoronski, Pittsburgh should consider it.

Even if moving up to the top 10 to accomplish that isn’t feasible, the Steelers may want to move up from 17 to closer to 10.

Plenty of action to be expected at the start of Thursday’s NFL Draft. Get the popcorn ready!