Steelers Predicted to Trade Up for Ohio State Star in 2026 NFL Draft

ESPN analyst sees Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs as a potential target for Pittsburgh.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:42pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the complex nature of evaluating top draft prospects.An analytical breakdown of a potential Steelers draft target, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, through the lens of Cubist art.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes the team may need to trade up in order to land Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, a potential top-10 prospect. Downs is seen as a player who could intrigue the Steelers if he falls out of the top 10 selections.

Why it matters

The Steelers are looking to reload their roster through the draft after a down season, and landing a blue-chip prospect like Downs could be a game-changer for their defense. However, trading up will require them to part with valuable draft capital, so the decision will come with risks and tradeoffs.

The details

ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes the Steelers may need to trade up from their current 21st overall pick in order to have a chance at landing Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs is projected as a potential top-10 pick, but Barnwell thinks he could fall to the Steelers' range if the board falls a certain way.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Caleb Downs

A star safety prospect from Ohio State University who is projected as a potential top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that currently holds the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“If he falls out of the top 10, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs keeps lingering in my head as a player who could fascinate the Steelers”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Steelers will need to evaluate their draft strategy and determine if trading up to land Caleb Downs is worth the cost of additional draft capital. The 2026 NFL Draft order will become clearer as the college football season progresses.

The takeaway

The Steelers are looking to add a blue-chip defensive prospect through the 2026 NFL Draft, and Ohio State's Caleb Downs has emerged as a potential target. However, the team may need to trade up from their current 21st overall pick to have a chance at landing the talented safety.