The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new chapter with Mike McCarthy at the helm, and the roster he inherits is a far cry from the star-studded lineups of the past. Years of questionable draft decisions between 2018 and 2022 under former GM Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin left the team thin on young, foundational talent. But since Omar Khan took over as general manager-and with assistant GM Andy Weidl shaping the draft board since 2023-there’s been a noticeable shift in direction.
Players like Joey Porter Jr., Zach Frazier, Derrick Harmon, and Nick Herbig have injected new life into the Steelers' depth chart. These aren’t just promising names-they’re players who’ve shown they can contribute early and often. But even in the midst of this youth movement, one of those emerging stars might be on the move.
In a recent mock draft scenario, the Dallas Cowboys are projected to make a bold trade for Herbig, the Steelers’ dynamic fourth-year edge rusher. And while it’s just a projection for now, the logic behind it is hard to ignore.
Let’s unpack it.
Why the Cowboys Could Come Calling
Dallas is resetting defensively after parting ways with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following a disappointing 2025 campaign. With the Cowboys reportedly eyeing Pittsburgh’s outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin for their vacant DC role, the dots start to connect. If Martin lands in Dallas, bringing in a familiar face like Herbig could be a natural next step.
Herbig, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has been a spark plug in Pittsburgh’s pass rush rotation. He’s not a full-time starter, but he’s made his presence felt off the edge with his quick first step, high motor, and ability to disrupt plays in limited snaps.
At 6'2" and 240 pounds, he’s not the biggest guy on the field, but his versatility makes him a chess piece-he can rush off the edge, loop inside on stunts, shoot the A-gap, or even drop into coverage when needed. That kind of flexibility is gold for a defense transitioning to a true 3-4 look, which Dallas may be aiming to do post-Eberflus.
The Trade Proposal: Herbig for a Shot at a Top WR
The hypothetical deal? Dallas sends the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to Pittsburgh in exchange for Herbig and the Steelers’ No. 21 pick.
On paper, it’s a steep price for Dallas, but it’s not without precedent. According to the classic NFL Draft Trade Value Chart, the value lines up if you consider Herbig as a stand-in for Pittsburgh’s second-round pick (No. 53 overall).
For the Steelers, the motivation is clear: move up nine spots in the first round and potentially land one of the top three wide receivers in the draft. Names like Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson or USC’s Makai Lemon could be in play. And with McCarthy now running the show, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him push for a do-it-all wideout to anchor the offense-much like he did with CeeDee Lamb during his Dallas days.
Why Herbig Might Be the Odd Man Out
From a roster-building standpoint, the Steelers are already heavily invested in their edge rushers. T.J.
Watt remains the face of the defense, and Alex Highsmith-while potentially a trade candidate himself-is under contract and nearing 29. Herbig, by contrast, is younger, more affordable (for now), and entering the final year of his rookie deal.
But that’s exactly why he has trade value.
If Pittsburgh doesn’t plan to pay Herbig the kind of money he’ll likely command in free agency, now might be the right time to cash in-especially if it means moving up in the draft to secure a top-tier offensive weapon. It’s the kind of move that signals a new era under McCarthy and Khan, one that prioritizes long-term roster flexibility and offensive firepower.
Bottom Line
There’s no official movement yet-this is still a mock draft scenario-but the framework makes a lot of sense. The Cowboys need a versatile edge defender to anchor a scheme shift, and Herbig fits that mold. The Steelers, meanwhile, could use the opportunity to climb the draft board and add a difference-maker at wide receiver.
Nick Herbig’s name is one to watch this offseason. Whether or not the trade materializes, it’s clear that Pittsburgh’s new regime is willing to make bold moves to reshape the roster-and Herbig could be the key to unlocking their next big swing.