Right after Week 2 of the 2026 regular season, a fresh 2027 NFL mock draft just landed, and it has the entire AFC North scrambling for answers, especially when you see what the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing. They are reportedly eyeing Darian Mensah, a quarterback from Miami (FL), with their first-round pick. A QB in round one, already? That speaks volumes about how things are going for them in this 2026 season.
Pittsburgh’s QB Dilemma Goes Public
This isn’t just about drafting a future player; it is about what this means for their current squad. Pittsburgh grabbing a new signal-caller like Mensah this early in the mock draft, compiled right after Week 2 of *this* season, screams trouble. It points directly to significant issues under center right now, enough that draft prognosticators are already calling for a complete reset at the most important position on the field. You do not just throw away a first-round pick on a quarterback if you are happy with what you have. This pick, along with running back Kewan Lacy from Ole Miss in Round 2, and then adding AJ Holmes Jr. from Texas Tech and cornerback Vicaro Swain from South Carolina in Round 3, shows a clear effort to shake things up across the board for the Steelers.
Divisional Rivals Gear Up for the Future
Meanwhile, the rest of the AFC North is already planning how to keep the pressure on. The Baltimore Ravens are looking to add some serious firepower to their offense, snatching up wide receiver Charlie Becker from Indiana in Round 1, then edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre from Alaba,a in Round 2, and offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp from Notre Dame in Round 3. Across the division, the Cincinnati Bengals are focused on shoring up their secondary, with cornerback Kelley Jones from Mississippi State in Round 1 and safety Bray Hubbard from Alabama in Round 3, along with offensive tackle Melvin Siani from Texas in Round 2. These are smart moves aiming to counter any future offensive threats and keep their own lines strong.
Cleveland’s Bold Double Dip and Outlook
Then you have the Cleveland Browns, always looking for an edge. They are doubling down in the first round, snagging wide receiver Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State and edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr., also from Ohio State. That is a bold move, grabbing two top-tier talents so early. They continue building with Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa in Round 2, and then adding interior offensive lineman Evan Tengeshdahl from Cincinnati and running back LJ Martin from BYU in Round 3. Each of these teams is already thinking years ahead, even as Week 3 of the current season gets underway. It is a stark reminder that in the NFL, you are either planning for the future or getting left behind.
So, what is at stake for these AFC North teams as we dive deeper into the 2026 season? Every snap, every game, every player performance is now under the microscope with an eye toward the 2027 draft. Watching Mensah and these other college players develop just got a whole lot more interesting, especially if you are a Steelers fan already sweating their quarterback situation.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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