Pittsburgh, PA – April 25, 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan is eyeing a bold move during the 2025 NFL Draft, with sources indicating a potential trade to bolster the secondary, per ESPN Friday. After drafting Oregon’s Derrick Harmon to fortify the defensive line, the Steelers are targeting a playmaking safety to deepen their roster.
The Steelers’ secondary, anchored by Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott, faces uncertainty with Elliott’s contract expiring post-2025 and Damontae Kazee hitting free agency. Khan, navigating a $2 million cap, seeks a cost-effective solution to support Pittsburgh’s top-five defense.
We’re always looking to add dynamic pieces, Khan told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.
FOX Sports’ David Helman proposes a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for safety Trey Dean III, a 25-year-old undrafted free agent with untapped potential. The deal would see Pittsburgh send a 2025 sixth-round pick (No. 185) to Las Vegas for Dean and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
Dean’s athleticism could spark Pittsburgh’s secondary, Helman wrote.
Dean, in his third NFL season, played 12 games in 2024, recording 15 tackles and a pass breakup. With Raiders’ starters Isaiah Pola-Mao and Tre’von Moehrig locked in, Dean’s $1.2 million cap hit makes him an expendable trade chip for Las Vegas’ 10-pick draft haul.
He’s ready to break out with the right scheme, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said.
Pittsburgh’s 2024 secondary allowed the eighth-most passing yards, exposing depth issues against AFC North receivers like Ja’Marr Chase. Dean’s 4.47 40-dash speed and coverage instincts align with Teryl Austin’s cover-2 system, offering a future starter or high-end backup.
Dean’s a steal for a Day 3 swap, NFL analyst Matt Miller noted.
With only four picks left, including No. 123 in Round 4, Khan’s trade mirrors the Chiefs’ savvy safety acquisition. Dean could challenge Elliott or replace Kazee, ensuring Pittsburgh’s defense remains elite while Khan hunts a quarterback and running back in 2025.
