The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh has officially turned into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. From the moment the Las Vegas Raiders officially kicked off the event by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, front offices across the league have been burning up the phone lines. As we move through the final rounds on Saturday, the 2026 NFL Draft trades have already reshaped the landscape of the AFC and NFC alike.
Round 1 Blockbusters: Chiefs and Cowboys Shake Up the Board
The first round was defined by aggressive maneuvering, with eight total trades occurring during the opening night. The most significant move came early when the Kansas City Chiefs vaulted into the top 10. General manager Brett Veach sent the No. 9, No. 74, and No. 148 picks to the Cleveland Browns to secure the No. 6 overall selection. With that pick, the Chiefs drafted LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, a move clearly designed to bolster a secondary that saw significant departures in free agency.
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, utilized that No. 9 pick to grab Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, effectively moving back and still landing a foundational piece for their offensive line. Another major swap involved the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. Dallas moved up to No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, while Miami slid back one spot to No. 12 to take Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, picking up two late-round picks (No. 177 and No. 180) in the process.
Day 2 Aggression: Steelers and Titans Target Playmakers
If Round 1 was about the stars, Day 2 was about the 2026 NFL Draft trades that secured high-ceiling starters. The Pittsburgh Steelers were particularly active, moving up six spots in the second round to select Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard at No. 47. To make the move, Pittsburgh sent the No. 53, No. 135, and No. 237 picks to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Tennessee Titans also continued their aggressive rebuild. After taking receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, they traded back into the second round to snag Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at No. 60. The Titans gave up No. 69 and No. 144 to the Chicago Bears to facilitate the move. This strategy highlights a clear directive from new head coach Robert Saleh to infuse the roster with defensive speed and physicality.
Strategic Maneuvering in the Middle Rounds
Several teams focused on accumulating assets while still targeting specific needs. The New York Jets have been among the busiest teams in the draft, executing multiple trades to navigate the board. They notably moved into the end of the first round at No. 30 to select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., sending No. 33 and No. 179 to San Francisco. They followed that up on Friday by trading back from No. 44 to No. 50, where they selected cornerback D'Angelo Ponds while picking up an extra fourth-rounder.
Confirmed 2026 NFL Draft Trade Details
- Chiefs/Browns: KC receives No. 6 (CB Mansoor Delane); CLE receives No. 9 (OT Spencer Fano), No. 74, and No. 148.
- Cowboys/Dolphins: DAL receives No. 11 (S Caleb Downs); MIA receives No. 12 (OT Kadyn Proctor), No. 177, and No. 180.
- Jets/49ers: NYJ receives No. 30 (WR Omar Cooper Jr.); SF receives No. 33 and No. 179.
- Texans/Raiders: HOU receives No. 36 (DT Kayden McDonald) and No. 117; LV receives No. 38 and No. 91.
- Steelers/Colts: PIT receives No. 47 (WR Germie Bernard) and No. 249; IND receives No. 53, No. 135, and No. 237.
- Titans/Bears: TEN receives No. 60 (LB Anthony Hill Jr.); CHI receives No. 69 (TE Sam Roush) and No. 144.
- Bills/Broncos: BUF receives No. 62 (CB Davison Igbinosun); DEN receives No. 66 (DT Tyler Onyedim) and No. 182.
- Giants/Browns: NYG receives No. 74 (WR Malachi Fields); CLE receives No. 105, No. 145, and a 2027 4th-round pick.
Looking Ahead to Day 3
As the draft enters its final day in Pittsburgh, expect the pace of 2026 NFL Draft trades to remain steady. Day 3 is traditionally the time when teams look to package late-round picks to move up for developmental prospects or special teams contributors. With several teams like the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets still holding a surplus of picks, the trade tracker is far from finished. We will continue to update this list as every deal from Round 4 through Round 7 is made official.
Sources & Original Reporting