Kimes: Steelers Could be One of Teams That Hops up for Rome Odunze

Since the start of the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have reshaped much of their roster, with the wide receiver room being one of the biggest overhauls. The only contributors from last season who will return are George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. Coincidentally, they are the only two wide receivers under contract past the 2024 season.

The team has a huge need there regardless, the talent is just not good enough behind Pickens. But could they make a huge move that is not trading for an established wide receiver? Mina Kimes floated the idea that the team could move up the board to go acquire Rome Odunze.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a single mock draft that doesn’t have the Falcons taking Dallas Turner at eight. I wanna throw you a possibility though, if you’re the Falcons, and you get a call from a team looking to trade up because they want to leapfrog the Bears for Rome Odunze, it could be the Jets, it could be the Colts, it could be the Steelers. Do you consider it if you believe Turner isn’t significantly better than the other pass-rushers,” Kimes asked on NFL Live.

For what it’s worth, the Steelers would have to move up 12 spots from 20th overall to get to No. 8 to acquire Odunze. That would wipe out most of their remaining draft capital to address center, cornerback, and other positions. Odunze is an elite prospect, but the risk is palpable with that move.

If the Steelers were to make this or a similar trade, it would give the impression that the team felt that their championship window is open due to the willingness to give up their top three selections in the draft.

The Steelers, under Mike Tomlin, have never drafted a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft which puts another dash in this possibility. Regardless, it is more likely than not that the Steelers select at least one wide receiver in the upcoming but the chances that they mortgage their draft capital to do so is minimal.