It is Pittsburgh’s bye week in the 2026 season, and with no game to distract everyone, the national NFL mock drafts are already dropping their early projections for the 2027 draft, revealing a wild range of opinions on what the Steelers need most. Experts are all over the map, with first-round picks projected anywhere from 22 to 28 overall, and for positions that couldn’t be more different. It’s clear that even the pros aren’t sure where this team is headed.
Pittsburgh’s Quarterback Question: To Draft or Not to Draft?
The biggest debate swirling around the Steelers right now is definitely at quarterback. Look, some guys like CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson are outright saying, “The Steelers need a QB. This is not up for debate.” He’s throwing out names like Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss, a proven winner from high-level SEC football, even if he’s not the tallest guy. Wilson also floats the idea of sticking with ’26 third-rounder Drew Allar or even a 6-foot-4 Austin Simmons. But then you have Fox Sports’ Rob Rang who thinks, given the investment in Allar last spring, the Steelers probably aren’t *planning* on a first-round QB. That is, unless a guy like Oregon’s Dante Moore, arguably the most talented passer in the class, somehow slides to them at pick 27. It’s a head-scratcher for sure. Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo even speculates the Steelers will likely transition to Will Howard or Drew Allar next season, and they should figure out their post-Aaron Rodgers situation before another QB pick, leaning instead towards a running back. And NFL Stock Exchange’s Connor Rogers outright says the Steelers are “probably pretty excited about Drew Allar,” suggesting they’re good at QB. So, yeah, *total* agreement there, right?
Defense and Depth: Corners, Safeties, and Workhorse Backs
Beyond the QB chaos, the defensive backfield is another hot topic, especially for a team that has to face receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins multiple times a year. USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz projects Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones at pick 22, pointing out that with Joey Porter Jr. gone, Jones’s 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame and speed would be huge for handling those monster pass-catchers. A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs and Rob Gregson agree that a cornerback is the move, targeting Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV at pick 27. They love that he’s a complete corner, physical, and tenacious, someone who could truly “transform” that secondary, even though Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Daylen Everette have done a nice job this season. And let’s not forget safety, with NFL Stock Exchange’s Connor Rogers thinking Notre Dame’s Tae Johnson at pick 28 makes sense, after praising the offensive line’s young talent. Then there’s the curveball from Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo, who suggests that instead of another QB, the Steelers should grab a workhorse running back like Florida’s Jadan Baugh to help out a young starter.
So, as the Steelers ride out their bye week, it’s clear their front office has a lot to consider. With experts split on literally every key position and strategy, what they do in the 2027 draft could truly define their next few seasons. It will be fascinating to watch how their current performance and roster evaluations through the rest of this 2026 season narrow down these incredibly diverse options.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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