Proposed Trade Sends Steelers Additional NFL Draft Pick in the Second Round for 2024 The Pittsburgh Steelers may find themselves in a tight place on opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft. The best wide receivers and offensive tackles may be gone when they choose at No. 20 overall, and it will be too early to choose a center in terms of draft value.
However, 93.7 Andrew Fillipponi of The Fan suggested trading back from No. 20 as a way to address this possible issue. The Buffalo Bills are becoming a possible contender for the No. 20 selection, according to Fillipponi’s post on X (formerly Twitter).
Fillipponi stated, “Steelers trade first (20th pick) and fourth (98th pick) to Bills for first (28th pick) and second (60th pick),” which is a rumored move to watch.
The 98th pick was miscalled by Fillipponi as a fourth rounder. The Steelers would not receive an additional Day 2 choice from this suggested deal because it is technically a third-round selection.
However, the Steelers would have three options overall, from No. 28 to No. 60, assuming they approved of this transaction. They would choose twice at No. 51 and 60 overall in the second round.
Additionally, the Steelers would still own a third-round pick at pick No. 84. The Steelers currently own two third-round picks and one second-round selection.
Who Might the Steelers Select in the NFL Draft with the 28th overall pick?
The majority of analysts have claimed that the Steelers’ two greatest needs going into the NFL draft are at wide receiver and center. However, No. 20 could be a strange place for any of those roles.
It is anticipated that the top three wideouts in the top 10 will score freely. While it’s possible that all the centers may still be available, some draft experts contend that targeting the position at No. 20 is premature.
It’s unclear if the Steelers subscribe to this theory. However, they could trade back to No. 28 overall and still be able to choose one of the best centers in the draft class if they choose not to pursue a tackle.
Centers Jackson Powers-Johnson and Graham Barton are ranked No. 23 and No. 27 overall prospects, respectively, by Pro Football Focus. Zach Frazier, a center from West Virginia, is ranked No. 33 overall.
The Steelers will have to use their first pick if they want to select one of those three centers. When the Steelers make another selection, it’s improbable that Barton, Powers-Johnson, or Frazier will still be available at No. 51.
Therefore, by moving back, the Steelers are able to acquire more value from those centers and acquire first-round draft picks of a higher caliber from the Bills.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett is no longer with the Steelers, which makes the trade of Pickett more likely to happen on draft night. Pickett will still be involved in Pittsburgh’s draft, though, if the team pulls off a deal akin to the one Fillipponi suggested.
In exchange for a draft selection, the Steelers sent Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange for sending Philadelphia’s No. 120 overall selection in the fourth round, Pittsburgh receives two 2025 seventh-round picks and the No. 98 overall pick.
Fillipponi said that in the trade-back scenario, the Steelers send Buffalo the No. 98 selection.
Despite losing their two third-round picks, the Steelers acquired an extra second in Fillipponi’s proposed trade.
The Steelers may choose a wide receiver, offensive lineman, or cornerback in the second round after acquiring a top center at No. 28 through the planned Bills deal.
Dave Holcomb is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers while covering MLB and the NFL. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications including Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Additional information on Dave
