Steelers Burning Question: Trade up, Trade down, Stay put?

Last season I did the Friday Night Steelers Six Pack and wondered if it was worth doing further. After all, interaction was not great, and sometimes you just have to adjust. So I decided to call an audible, and not just abandon the Friday night meeting of the black-and-gold minds.

Instead of six questions, I wanted to focus solely on one question.

We’ll still do the preamble of what you’re eating/drinking/listening to, but we’ll focus our attention on the one Steelers question of the week. Don’t worry, most weeks I’ll do a bonus/extra credit question for fun. With all that out of the way, let’s get to the question!

With the 2025 NFL Draft less than 30 days away, it is worth looking at what the Steelers will do in Round 1. They currently possess the 21st pick in the draft, but will they stay there?

Will they trade up?

Will they trade down?

Or will they stay put?

There are a lot of factors here, but I could see a scenario where the majority of fans will want them to trade down to garner more draft capital, maybe a 2nd Round pick, but in actuality they trade up to get a player they deem to be “can’t miss”. Jeremy Betz suggested the team could always throw in a player if they wanted to trade up, maybe Minkah Fitzpatrick or George Pickens as examples, so they don’t jeopardize the entire 2025 draft.

What would you want to see them do, and what do you think they’ll do?

What say you?

As for what I’m eating, it’s grilled burgers for dinner. As for drink, it’s always store bought kombucha, as usual, and the tunes will be whatever my family wants to hear!

Happy Friday everyone!!

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Beleevers
Beleevers
5 days ago

Still drinking coffee, gonna have a Pittsburgh salad, and listening to Black and Gold Blueprint.

I always say to trade down, and especially with a weak draft, there isn’t anyone I feel is a cant miss and i gotta have….but you gotta have a partner. Hopefully someone is desperate for one of those tier 2 or 3 QBs

Beleevers
Beleevers
4 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Hartman

I wouldn’t be opposed to moving up but is there anyone worth the capital you would have to give up? We already short a 2nd this year, you gonna spend some of those “comp picks” from next year? It’s just not worth it. I’d rather move back into the 2nd this year and grab another 2nd or 3rd next year.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Hartman

I don’t want a RB in the 1st either. However, Jeanty may be an exception. I still wouldn’t go far up for him if I did.

USWforever
USWforever
4 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Hartman

In a draft class like this one, the guys at the top of the he first round might not even be first round picks in a different year. So, if you move up, you’re spending even more for an inferior player. Better to let somebody else law overpay for these lesser players. Trade back, and take your profits in the form of 2026 draft picks.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago

Drinking GFJ from Sun King Brewery (:shock:). Eating whatever I find later this evening. I’m on my own since my wife and daughter are in Indy to watch her (both my wife and daughter’s) beloved UK Wildcats in the Sweet 16. My wife is from Kentucky so she comes by it naturally.

I am firmly in the camp of STAY PUT! If an opportunity to trade down (but still in the 1st round) to recoup that 2nd round pick as well, I’m okay with that as well. As far as a TRADE UP? Hell to the no. I would love to pick up a 2nd rounder if possible but NOT trade out of the 1st.

JoeBwankenobi
JoeBwankenobi
4 days ago
Reply to  SteelYinzer

How big is the search radius for “eating whatever I find…”?? FYI, my experience is neighbors can get miffed when you walk in and eat their food…Like calm down Steve, I’m not eating the good stuff, and I let him know he was out of mayo. Some people, wow.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago
Reply to  JoeBwankenobi

Hahahaha. THIS is beautiful Joe. Absolutely hilarious. I can actually picture this in my mind. And, by the way, it didn’t go that far. I found some frozen chicken egg rolls in the freezer that I cooked. Yeah, delicious. LOL. Let’s just say that the beer was the highlight of the evening. 🙂

Edward Carmichael
Edward Carmichael
4 days ago

a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s Steelers Omar Khan can move up in the N.F.L. draft by using George Pickens as draft capital because the Steelers are trying to trade George Pickens

Beleevers
Beleevers
4 days ago

I’ve heard him and Minkah

VinnySteel
VinnySteel
4 days ago

Not eating anything. Took my granddaughter out for ice cream late this afternoon.

The Steelers will not trade down. They just don’t do it. Every year so many fans say “They should trade down and get picks” but, to me, that’s baseball theory not football or some sort of video game “general manager” mentality. In real life, it won’t happen, and I think the Steelers are right for never (or almost never) doing so. Firsts are firsts for a reason, and the Steelers are not so stacked with talent that they can forego the possible generational player like a TJ Watt who falls into the twenties, or even the beyond excellent all pros Steelers have found repeatedly in the range they are in this year.

I also doubt they trade up this year because they have fewer picks- and they won’t want to mess with next year’s crop because they may need them to move all the way up from wherever they land to No. 1 next year to get their qb.

They will stay put this year.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago
Reply to  VinnySteel

As I stated in my post, I agree with this for the most part. The ONLY trade down I would do is if they could move down in the 1st and potentially pick up a 2nd as well. That’s it. Otherwise, I am solidly in favor of staying put!

4th n Inches
4th n Inches
4 days ago

Odds are they stay put.

They’ll only trade up or down if an obvious deal pops up. And that is RARE.

JoeBwankenobi
JoeBwankenobi
4 days ago

Drinking the last of my Southern Tier mix pack. Double IPA at the moment. It’s harsh, and bites like bitter grapefruit juice. Not great.

Ate a really good mac and cheese covered with pulled pork BBQ, and a fist full of spring onions- very nice!

Watching Treehouse Masters. It’s obviously staged, and glosses over the construction details I’d really find interesting, but it’s entertaining.

Trade up or back?? Well there’s waaay to many unknowns in that question for one answer. I am comfortable saying that because of the lack of a two this year I’d be actively looking to trade back – easier said than done, especially in this draft. Assuming the obvious, which is the 1st round QB’s will go top ten, maybe the D lineman they have their eye on will be there you take him. I’m not going up this year without a bona fied stud inexplicably falling close enough to me that I don’t have to give most of my draft picks to get him.

I’m looking forward to it. I have a feeling OK is gonna be a mover.

JoeBwankenobi
JoeBwankenobi
4 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Hartman

Totally agree! I see Dart going way too high in the top ten, and that pushes the D lineman they really want down to them. No offense to Dart, he could be a good QB if he lands in the right situation. Hell I’d really think about taking him if I’m wrong and he’s still there for the Steelers. I think this draft is gonna be fascinating.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago
Reply to  JoeBwankenobi

Man Joe, I absolutely LOVE the Southern Tier 2x IPA (no the Hazy 2x). That is 100% my beer of choice when I’m in Pittsburgh at games. Partly because I love the bitter bite of strong IPAs, but also because I can’t get Southern Tier products way the heck out here in Indiana!

JoeBwankenobi
JoeBwankenobi
4 days ago
Reply to  SteelYinzer

Yeah, that one doesn’t hit for me. I like Bells double two hearted, way better. Even right here in Baltimore Heavy Seas Double cannon is more my speed.

Brother, you have to ” pump an Iron” when you’re in the Burgh…at least one. It might be a law.

SteelYinzer
SteelYinzer
4 days ago
Reply to  JoeBwankenobi

I have pumped enough “Iron” when I lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years! At my advanced age, pumping “Iron” is NOT beneficial to the long-range plan! Haha

JoeBwankenobi
JoeBwankenobi
4 days ago
Reply to  SteelYinzer

Hahaha! Understood. I only have one, and switch when I’m in town.

John S
John S
4 days ago

Watching the O’s. Had pizza and a sodie pop. Khan hasn’t made much noise. I could see them making moves during the draft. I would be okay trading back or staying put. I don’t see a scenario where trading up is worth the extra draft capital. I think they trade back a few picks. I really liked Andrew’s mock of a team like the giants trading back into the first to get Dart or maybe Milroe. We’ll see.

Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown
4 days ago

I’d love to trafe back, especially with a team that’s already drafted in the 1st. Take their high 2nd and 3rd in ‘25, and a 2nd from ‘26

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