Steelers trade up for coveted defensive player in ESPN mock draft

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 06: Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) watches a replay on the video board during the Big 10 Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers on December 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The most unique and unlikely mock draft of the season has been released by ESPN. While the 2026 NFL Draft will surely see a handful of trades between teams before 32 picks are made to close the first round, ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell took a different approach in his latest mock.

On Monday, he released his annual mock draft consisting of all trades and only trades of every pick in the first round. Barnwell proposed the Steelers trading up with the Miami Dolphins for one of the best defensive players available.

In this scenario, the Steelers would move up 10 spots from 21 to 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

Call it a hunch," Barnwell said. The Steelers don't often make major moves up the board, but when they have in Round 1, it usually has been for defenders they see as future superstars."

Barnwell pointed to the Steelers moving up 11 spots to draft Troy Polamalu in 2003 and 10 picks for Devin Bush 16 years later. Both ended up with significantly different Steeler careers, but were highly regarded prospects. To complete the trade, Barnwell has the Steelers acquiring the 11th pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, in exchange for the 21st pick, a third rounder (76th), and a 2027 second-round pick.

Downs is a physical safety that fits the mold of what the Steelers look for in versatile players. A two-time All-American at Ohio State and 2024 national champion with the Buckeyes, his began his career as a starter in the SEC with Alabama, where he led the SEC in solo tackles (70) as a freshman and recorded 107 in 2023. In two seasons at Ohio State, Downs registered 150 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 1.5 sacks.

If Ohio State safety Downs falls out of the top 10, he keeps lingering in my head as a player who could fascinate the Steelers," Barnwell said. Downs has incredible instincts and football savvy. He's a big hitter."

The Steelers signed former Gateway, Penn State, and Bears safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal and have DeSean Elliott coming back from injury.

Jalen Ramsey also fits into the fold after moving from outside corner to safety during the year, but could be in line for an increased role as a slot corner.

Downs would fit the best player available" mold and be a player capable of playing around the line of scrimmage in the box or in the secondary.

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