It’s Omar’s show
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published April 20, 2026, 2:29 PM
Since 2000, the Steelers have maneuvered their first-round pick up and down the draft board. This week, with Pittsburgh serving as the host city for the annual NFL Draft, there is a slightly different buzz than usual.
First off, Omar Khan, since taking over in 2022 as General Manager, has shown zero tolerance for standing pat when a move is there to be made. I remember being on the South Side for the introduction of Russell Wilson, only to find out hours later Kenny Pickett was on the move.
“Can’t say enough about my scouting staff,” said Khan during his opening statements to the media. “They really worked hard and love where we’re at. We got 12 picks. Don’t know, you know, come Saturday, when I meet with you guys, don’t know where, where we’ll end up, and then we have 10, maybe 14.”
Twice during 22 minutes inner action with local media, Khan mentioned possibly having 10 to 14 picks. Calculated words to throw us off their scent. They have ten then they traded two picks if they end up with 14 players in this draft they drafted down.
Khan acts fast, and with 12 picks in this upcoming draft, it’s likely we could watch the Steelers attempt to make a big splash on Thursday night and ignite the city into a football frenzy outside of Acrisure Stadium.
“Gives us a lot of flexibility and a lot of opportunities and things and, you know, and we’ll see where it goes,” said Khan.
Pittsburgh has built a reputation for traditional values within the tapestry of the organization. When Khan took over for Kevin Colbert (2000-21), the pair had already spent two decades together within the Steelers franchise. In 2001, Khan accepted the job as a football administration coordinator.
Now, with Mike not Tomlin but Mike McCarthy sitting next to Khan for the NFL Draft press conference. McCarthy, entering year one of his duties as head coach, the duo have reunited after spending time together between 2000-01 with the New Orleans Saints.
So, one would think Khan now resides in a position of a little more power than in his previous years, when Tomlin was heavily involved in the evaluation process of the NFL Draft. Tomlin was the face of the franchise and yielded little in the shadows of others in the organization, just a polarizing figure.
Before turning the page to what could unfold Thursday night in Pittsburgh, it’s worth taking a moment to revisit how the Steelers have historically approached the first round. Looking back at those decisions provides helpful context for what we may see when they’re back on the clock as the host franchise.
“I trust our process say right now that when we’re done on Saturday, you know, we’ve gotten 10, 12, 14, players,” said Khan wearing a black pullover with NFL Draft insignia in gold. “Whatever it is, it’s just, I feel good about, really good about where we’re at right now, and all the work we put into and how the board is stacked. And I wish the draft was right now. We’re ready for it, and, you know, I trust the process.”
Below are the moves that have help create the ‘gunslinger’ approach accustomed to Khan as the general manager of the Steelers.
- 2023 Offseason Draft Cycle (FIRST REAL KHAN YEAR)
- Trade Up – Broderick Jones (Round 1)
- Steelers receive – Pick #14
- Patriots receive – Pick #17 + 4th-round pick
- Result – Broderick Jones, LT
- 2. Acquire WR Allen Robinson
- Steelers receive – Allen Robinson and pick swap
- Rams receive late-round pick
- Acquire CB Ahkello Witherspoon
- Pick/player compensation adjustment tied into Khan’s offseason structure
- Acquire EDGE Malik Reed
- Steelers receive: Malik Reed
- Broncos receive – pick swap
- Trade Kendrick Green
- Steelers send – Kendrick Green
- Texans receive: OL depth deal (pick swap involved)
- Draft-day maneuver (Day 2)
- Steelers moved down in Round 3
- Gained additional 4th-round capital
- 2024 OFFSEASON (AGGRESSIVE ROSTER FLIP)
- Kenny Pickett Trade
- Steelers send – Kenny Pickett
- Receive – Pick #98 and future 7ths
- Diontae Johnson Trade
- Steelers send – Diontae Johnson
- Receive – player swap and pick upgrade (7th to 6th
- Kevin Dotson Trade
- Steelers send – Kevin Dotson
- Receive: pick compensation (mid/late round)
- 2025 OFFSEASON (BIG-SWING KHAN ERA)
- DK Metcalf Trade (BLOCKBUSTER)
- Steelers receive: DK Metcalf
- Seahawks receive – 2nd-round pick + pick swap
- This is the defining Khan move so far
- Pick Swap Trade
- Steelers trade – Pick #156
- Receive – Picks #164 and #226
- Veteran-driven trades (reported offseason cycle)
- Traded Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Acquired Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
- 2025 IN-SEASON / DEADLINE TYPE MOVES
- Mike Williams Trade
- Steelers receive – Mike Williams
- Chargers receive – 5th round pick
- Preston Smith Trade
- Steelers receive – Preston Smith
- Packers receive – 6th round pick
“Yeah, it happens every year, you know,” said Khan about teams calling the Steelers and Pittsburgh inquiring about players on other rosters. “And it happens every year, not just now, you know, people call and say, hey, any interest in this player, in trading this player. Hey, we have this player. Could we consider you guys interested. I mean, it’s, there’s a lot.”
Khan also brought up that the normal 10-minute clock in round one will be reduced to eight minutes in 2026, which Khan said it help priorities the importance to talking with teams prior to draft night when every second on the clock counts.
Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith has been rumored to be considered a possible trade candidate due to Nick Herbig’s emergence at the outside linebacker spot, but Khan calls happen very rarely come to fruition.
“I’ll say this,” said Khan. “I’d say maybe, probably less than 5% of those calls actually turn out to be something. But yeah, calls happen.”
Below is the list of first round picks held by the Steelers since 2000 that have been moved up, down or away for a player.
Steelers Drafted – Casey Hampton, NT, Texas
2000 | Traded Down | No. 16 to No. 19
Pro Bowls: 5
Super Bowl Appearances: 3 (XL, XLIII, XLV)
All-Pro Seasons: 2 (1st Team: 2008, 2nd Team: 2004)
Hall of Fame: No (borderline case for Steelers HOF fans)
Years w/ Steelers: 2001–2012 (12 seasons)
Overall: Anchor of the defense. Doesn’t show up in stat sheets, but absolutely foundational to two Super Bowl teams.
Steelers Drafted – Troy Polamalu, S, USC
2003 | Traded Up | No. 27 to No. 16
Pro Bowls: 8
Super Bowl Appearances: 3 (XL, XLIII, XLV)
All-Pro Seasons: 6 (4 First-Team)
Hall of Fame: YES (2020, 1st ballot)
Years w/ Steelers: 2003–2014 (12 seasons)
Overall: One of the greatest trade-ups in NFL history. Defensive identity piece. Changed how safety was played.
Steelers Drafted – Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
2006 | Traded Up | No. 32 to No. 25
Santonio Holmes (2006 – Traded Up)
Pro Bowls: 1
Super Bowl Appearances: 2 (XLIII, XLV)
All-Pro Seasons: 0
Hall of Fame: No
Years w/ Steelers: 2006–2009 (4 seasons)
Overall: Short run, but HUGE impact. That Super Bowl catch alone justifies the move. Not long-term value, but elite moment value.
Steelers Drafted – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
2019 | Traded Up | No. 20 to No. 10
Pro Bowls: 0
Super Bowl Appearances: 0
All-Pro Seasons: 0
Hall of Fame: No
Years w/ Steelers: 2019–2022 (4 seasons)
Overall: This is the miss. Aggressive move that didn’t pay off long-term. Injury (ACL) changed trajectory but still falls short for what they gave up.
Steelers received Minkah Fitzpatrick, S via Miami Dolphins
2020 | Traded Away | No. 18
Pro Bowls: 5 (as of 2025)
Super Bowl Appearances: 0 (with Steelers)
All-Pro Seasons: 3 First-Team
Hall of Fame: Not yet (trajectory suggests strong case)
Years w/ Steelers: 2019–present
Overall: This is basically a “reverse draft pick” and a home run. Immediate All-Pro impact. One of the best moves of the era but one of the least competitive playoffs stretches for the team.
Steelers Drafted – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
2023 | Traded Up | No. 17 to No. 14
Pro Bowls: 0 (so far)
Super Bowl Appearances: 0
All-Pro Seasons: 0
Hall of Fame: Too early
Years w/ Steelers: 2023 – present
Overall: Still being written. Jones has flashed here and there, and his current neck injury puts the long-term value in question. Has not lived up to the potential they traded up for yet.
