One pre-draft goal should exist for Omar Khan

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said so little in his media Q&A at the NFL league meetings in Florida on Monday that he made Mike Tomlin’s comments on Sunday read like a State of the Union address.

Take, for instance, what Khan had to say when he was asked about the prospect of acquiring a second-round pick to make up for the one he gave up in last month’s trade to acquire DK Metcalf.

“You guys have gotten to know me over the last couple years,” Khan replied. “I think all options are on the table. Staying put, moving up, moving back. I’m open to anything if it makes sense for us.”

If Khan wanted to say even less while at the same time at least providing a more direct answer, he could’ve just said: “Yes.”

But why be transparent, right?

I’m not really sure of the need for secrecy on this front. Obviously, Khan should make getting back into that second round a major priority. One obvious way to do that would be to dangle receiver George Pickens as a trade candidate, especially since Pickens is likely to want a contract extension this offseason.

If they do extend him, that’ll mean two wide receivers making in the neighborhood of $30 million per year on a roster where no long-term answer exists at quarterback.

If they don’t extend Pickens, expect a hold-in, a holdout and a roller coaster of a season from No. 14. I’ve heard very little about the Steelers trying to trade Pickens, but I haven’t exactly heard a ton about them working toward an extension with him either.

So if Khan holds onto Pickens and reevaluates what to do with him in 2026, that means he has just two picks over the first two days: No. 21 in the first round and No. 19 in the third round (83rd overall).

The Steelers are building up collateral to get creative. They are projected to have 11 picks in 2026 based on the current compensatory formula.

“We were in a position this year where we kind of understood where our contracts were with our free agents and that a good possibility does exist for us to acquire comp picks. That’s always been a part of the process this year,” Khan acknowledged Monday.

As of now, the Steelers’ current draft needs are as follows: • A top-3 capable defensive lineman to replace Larry Ogunjobi right now, who could also be groomed as a successor for Cameron Heyward and a long-term running partner with Keeanu Benton.

• A potential starting running back to replace Najee Harris — if not for this year, then maybe for 2026.

• A cornerback capable of playing outside the numbers in case things don’t work out with Darius Slay, or if Cory Trice fails to stay healthy again.

• Another defensive lineman. Yes, they are that thin there.

• A wide receiver capable of helping this year, or at least replacing Pickens and/ or fellow UFA-to-be Calvin Austin next year.

And, oh yeah, maybe a quarterback if they don’t want to wait on Aaron Rodgers any longer and if they don’t want Mason Rudolph to be the starter.

Khan reiterated Monday that the Steelers would like to go to training camp with at least four QBs. If the Steelers don’t swing big for one over the first 83 picks, then a Day 3 guy is likely going to be just a developmental, longer-term project.

If the Steelers gamble and select perhaps Jaxson Dart at No. 21 or trade back to get him, then they are waiting even longer in a bumper crop year of defensive linemen to get a rookie who could be a heavy rotational player at that position this year (and for the next four thereafter).

Those are a lot of important needs to address before getting to the third one at (as it stands right now) No. 123 in the fourth round.

So, absolutely, getting back into the second round strikes me as significantly important — whether Khan wants to directly admit it or not.