Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh trades OLB T.J. Watt, WR George Pickens

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Full disclosure: I highly doubt the Steelers will trade T.J. Watt. They should, considering he is now 30, coming off the lowest sack total of his career in a full season since 2017, and the Steelers already wasted his prime so they should get something for him while they can. But, the most likely outcome is that they give him a penny more than $40 million per year as a slight middle finger to Myles Garrett. Nonetheless, if I were the one holding the pen at this very moment, this is the draft I would put together.

Round 1, Pick 21: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

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Get a long-term interior disruptor who will have an immediate impact alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton.

TRADE

Green Bay Packers receive: EDGE T.J. Watt
Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Second-round pick (No. 54), Fifth-round Pick (No. 159), 2026 fourth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick

Many will quibble at the haul, but it’s unlikely the Steelers would get a first-round pick for Watt. Two seasons ago, they could have gotten a haul similar to the Khalil Mack trade. At age 30, though, and coming off a down year for his standards, a second-round pick is the highest they’ll get.

Round 2, Pick 54: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

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Getting Higgins at No. 54 would be a dream. He’s coming off an 87-catch season where he totaled just under 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns.

Round 3, Pick 83: S K.J. Winston, Penn State

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The Steelers have been doing their homework on safeties, which should make one believe that fire is connected to that smoke. Minkah Fitzpatrick isn’t getting younger, and DeShon Elliott is on the final year of his deal. They add Joey Porter’s former Penn State teammate to be the future at the position.

TRADE

Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Third-round pick (No. 86)

Los Angeles Chargers receive: WR George Pickens

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – the Steelers aren’t extending Pickens, so they may as well get something for him. Metcalf and Pickens are also largely redundant of one another because they do the same things. Get a third for Pickens by sending him to a team that needs a deep threat.

Round 3, Pick 86: RB D.J. Giddens, Kansas State

Giddens is one of the most balanced runners in this class and would be a perfect addition to the backfield.

Round 4, Pick 123: QB Will Howard, Ohio State

If he turns out to be a good backup, mission accomplished – he isn’t the future of the team. That said, the Steelers are certainly going to take a quarterback on Day Three, so it felt wrong to not take one in this exercise.