The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded linebacker Patrick Queen to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round and fifth-round pick. This move comes amid ongoing trade rumors surrounding Queen's future with the team.
Steelers trade Patrick Queen to Cowboys in exciting new mock draft
There's arguably no Pittsburgh Steelers defender tied to trade rumors more so than linebacker Patrick Queen, who was reportedly of major interest to the Dallas Cowboys.
In this new 2026 NFL mock draft, the Cowboys met the potential asking price for Queen and traded a 2026 third- and 2026 fifth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for their Pro Bowl linebacker.
Here's a look at the six picks Pittsburgh made between Rounds 1-3, including a standout wide receiver falling to the 21st overall pick.
First round, No. 21 overall: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Steelers' prayers were answered ā Tyson somehow took a massive slide, all the way into the team's lap with the 21st overall pick. Pittsburgh's potential wide receiver trio, featuring DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and Tyson, could be one of the best in the league following this selection.
Second round, No. 53 overall: G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Pittsburgh managed to snag another mid-to-late-round steal, finding the answer to their left guard vacancy in Bisontis in the second round.
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts after a play during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) catches the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Oct 23, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) runs with the football during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) returns to the sidelines after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) smiles on the field after their game with the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Sean Davis (21) returns an interception with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) pursuing in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson (27) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
September 22, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert (77) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos in an AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Mike Adams (76) blocks Atlanta Falcons defensive end Cliff Matthews (98) in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds (93) reacts after recording a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
1 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
1 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
2 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts after a play during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
3 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
4 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) catches the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
5 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Oct 23, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) runs with the football during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
6 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) returns to the sidelines after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
7 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) smiles on the field after their game with the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
8 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Dec 23, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Sean Davis (21) returns an interception with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) pursuing in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
9 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
May 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson (27) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
10 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
September 22, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
11 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Dec 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
12 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert (77) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos in an AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
13 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Mike Adams (76) blocks Atlanta Falcons defensive end Cliff Matthews (98) in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
14 / 14
Steelers recent second-round draft picks over the years
Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds (93) reacts after recording a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Third round, No. 76 overall: DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State
Pittsburgh isn't done fixing their defensive line, opting to select Orange, an exceptionally strong run defender, with the first of their third-round selections.
Third round, No. 85 overall: LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
It's almost as if the Steelers were planning to trade Queen seven picks later, as they drafted his replacement with Louis, a great pass-coverage linebacker.
(Trade with Cowboys) Third round, No. 92 overall: CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
A developmental cornerback that could eventually emerge into a long-time starter, Everette offers the Steelers a hyper-athletic option who could benefit greatly from the veteran secondary talent already on the roster.
Third round, No. 99 overall: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The Steelers cannot simply pass up on Nussmeier with pick No. 99, especially given the uncertainty of their quarterback room.
For up-to-dateĀ SteelersĀ coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on XĀ @TheSteelersWireĀ and give ourĀ Facebook pageĀ a like.
What did the Cowboys give up for Patrick Queen in the trade?
The Cowboys traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick to acquire Patrick Queen from the Steelers.
Why was Patrick Queen a target for the Dallas Cowboys?
Patrick Queen was a major interest for the Cowboys due to his status as a Pro Bowl linebacker and the ongoing trade rumors surrounding him.
What are the implications of Patrick Queen's trade for the Steelers?
The trade allows the Steelers to gain additional draft capital while addressing their roster needs, particularly in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
How does this trade impact the Steelers' linebacker position?
With Patrick Queen's departure, the Steelers will need to fill the gap left by their Pro Bowl linebacker, potentially affecting their defensive strategy.
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