The 2026 NFL Draft is here and with it will almost surely bring at least a few classic draft trades. Every team in the league has needs and rosters spots to fill. While some of those teams are already in position to fill those needs with their picks, other squads may need to move up or down in the draft to put themselves in position to do the same.
Let’s take a look at a potential draft trade between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers
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Cardinals receive: 21st overall pick, 53rd overall pick, 76th overall pick
Steelers receive: 3rd overall pick, 104th overall pick
The Cardinals’ biggest roster need is the quarterback position. Although they’ve been linked to Notre Dame runningback Jeremiyah Love, the QB position should be their priority.
This QB class is comprised of Fernando Mendoza at the top and then a decent gap before the rest of the field. Ty Simpson is likely to be the second quarterback selected, and the Cardinals trading down to the 21st pick from the 3rd pick could set them up perfectly to draft Simpson.
This move would allow the Steelers to draft Love at 3rd if they see fit, while giving the Cardinals options if they’re pursuing Simpson. Arizona already owns the 34th pick, but there’s a little less confidence that Simpson will still be available by that point.
If the Cardinals want to take that chance, they can flip the 21st pick for future draft capital while holding on to the 53rd and 76th picks they received from the deal.
Adversely, they could simply use the new pick to take Simpson and use the 34th pick to address a different roster need.
Pittsburgh has a lot of picks this year, so the Steelers may be more willing to part with the 21st pick if it means they climb all the way into the top three. They are also dealing with their own QB problems, which could make this trade more difficult to pull off.
In a draft where the Cardinals don’t exactly need a top-three pick to address their biggest need, this trade or one like it should be something for them to consider.
James Parker contributed to this story.
