Losing free agents isn't always a bad thing. The Steelers have lost six players to free agency thus far. And, to be fair, only two of them -- Justin Fields and Elandon Roberts -- had a reasonable expectation to return.
But, with the six players signing elsewhere, the Steelers are on an early track to receive a haul of compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers are projected to receive a third-round pick for Dan Moore Jr. signing with the Titans, a fourth-round pick for Fields signing with the Jets, a fifth-round pick for Najee Harris signing with the Chargers and two sixth-round picks for James Daniels and Donte Jackson signing with the Dolphins and Chargers, respectively.
The Steelers would have also been in line for a potential seventh-round compensatory pick for Roberts signing with the Raiders, but that was negated by the signing of Malik Harrison.
The compensatory pick formula is ... complicated. Bottom line, the more free agents a team loses to expensive contracts, the more picks a team gains. And, the more expensive the contract, the better the pick. The most picks any team can receive is four. Also, any free agents signed cancels out potential compensatory picks, as the Harrison signing did for losing Roberts.
The good thing for the Steelers is free agents that were released from their contracts do not impact the formula. So, if the Steelers end up signing Aaron Rodgers, because the Jets are expected to release him on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, he won't cancel out any projected compensatory picks. Neither would the potential signing of Darius Slay, or any other players currently under contract such as Cooper Kupp or Kirk Cousins.
DK Metcalf doesn't figure into the formula, either, since he was acquired via trade.
Of course, this could set the table very well for the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. No, that does not mean the team is tanking in 2025. Get that out of your mind now. The Steelers don't tank. But, adding extra draft capital makes the team much more flexible to potentially go after a quarterback. It's a little early to judge next year's class, but with the like of Texas' Arch Manning, Penn State's Drew Allar, Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, it already appears to be a stronger group than what will be available in this year's draft.
That doesn't mean ignore quarterback in this draft. The third or fourth round might be a great place to take a chance on Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Texas' Quinn Ewers, Ohio State's Will Howard or Louisville's Tyler Shough.
Quarterback is the priority. And, regardless of how things played out, the Steelers aren't likely going to find their quarterback of the future this offseason. Not unless one of the aforementioned draft prospects proves a lot of people wrong. But, next year could be a much better year to try and snag one, making the potential of extra draft capital very important.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:38 pm - 03.11.2025DowntownRacking up compensatory picks
Losing free agents isn't always a bad thing. The Steelers have lost six players to free agency thus far. And, to be fair, only two of them -- Justin Fields and Elandon Roberts -- had a reasonable expectation to return.
But, with the six players signing elsewhere, the Steelers are on an early track to receive a haul of compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers are projected to receive a third-round pick for Dan Moore Jr. signing with the Titans, a fourth-round pick for Fields signing with the Jets, a fifth-round pick for Najee Harris signing with the Chargers and two sixth-round picks for James Daniels and Donte Jackson signing with the Dolphins and Chargers, respectively.
The Steelers would have also been in line for a potential seventh-round compensatory pick for Roberts signing with the Raiders, but that was negated by the signing of Malik Harrison.
The compensatory pick formula is ... complicated. Bottom line, the more free agents a team loses to expensive contracts, the more picks a team gains. And, the more expensive the contract, the better the pick. The most picks any team can receive is four. Also, any free agents signed cancels out potential compensatory picks, as the Harrison signing did for losing Roberts.
The good thing for the Steelers is free agents that were released from their contracts do not impact the formula. So, if the Steelers end up signing Aaron Rodgers, because the Jets are expected to release him on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, he won't cancel out any projected compensatory picks. Neither would the potential signing of Darius Slay, or any other players currently under contract such as Cooper Kupp or Kirk Cousins.
DK Metcalf doesn't figure into the formula, either, since he was acquired via trade.
Of course, this could set the table very well for the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. No, that does not mean the team is tanking in 2025. Get that out of your mind now. The Steelers don't tank. But, adding extra draft capital makes the team much more flexible to potentially go after a quarterback. It's a little early to judge next year's class, but with the like of Texas' Arch Manning, Penn State's Drew Allar, Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, it already appears to be a stronger group than what will be available in this year's draft.
That doesn't mean ignore quarterback in this draft. The third or fourth round might be a great place to take a chance on Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Texas' Quinn Ewers, Ohio State's Will Howard or Louisville's Tyler Shough.
Quarterback is the priority. And, regardless of how things played out, the Steelers aren't likely going to find their quarterback of the future this offseason. Not unless one of the aforementioned draft prospects proves a lot of people wrong. But, next year could be a much better year to try and snag one, making the potential of extra draft capital very important.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!