If the Pittsburgh Steelers want one of the premier players in the 2026 NFL Draft, they may have to consider a move up in the first round. Fortunately, they have the draft capital to make it happen—and more importantly an abundance of potential trade partners looking to move back. According to Albert Breer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those teams at No. 15.

“Mark the Buccaneers down as another team looking to move down on Thursday night, from their perch at No. 15. And I think they’re positioned to pull it off,” Breer wrote via SI.com. “Behind them, you have the Lions at 17, Panthers at 19, Steelers at 21, Eagles at 23, Browns at 24 and Bears at 25 as teams that might need tackle help. And with a run on the position potentially looming over that alley of picks, the Bucs could give someone the opportunity to jump the line.”

Todd McShay’s latest draft intel suggests the Steelers are heavily in the running for a tackle in the first round. But with seven total prospects that could make sense on Day 1, Pittsburgh could find itself picking off the scrap heap absent a move up the board.

This idea is further complicated by the mixed signals on the status of OT Broderick Jones. Adam Schefter reported he suffered a setback with his neck injury from last season, but Omar Khan downplayed that anything has changed with his status. If Jones is unable to return in 2026, Pittsburgh’s urgency to trade up increases tenfold. They aren’t going to chance it with Aaron Rodgers’ blindside at 42 years old.

The Miami Dolphins may also be looking to move back at No. 11, but that would be a costly trade for the Steelers with a vast difference in draft value. Pittsburgh’s pick is worth 800 value—according to Jimmy Johnson’s model—while the No. 15 pick is worth 1,050.

That difference of 350 trade value is roughly worth the Steelers’ No. 53 pick in the second round. Or they could package together some third-round picks if they don’t want to move on from the No. 53 pick.

If a tackle is the target, Kadyn Proctor, Monroe Freeling, Spencer Fano, or Blake Miller could be the targets. Pittsburgh has also shown significant interest in OG Vega Ioane, and WR Makai Lemon for other options.

This wouldn’t be the first time Omar Khan has traded up in the first round, and with a much more realistic option on the table with the Buccaneers, he may pull the trigger again.