Is it too early to talk about the NFL Draft? There are always those that say “never,” but for many, draft season doesn’t start until the Steelers have played their last snap of the season in the early months of the new year.
However, Pittsburgh’s bye week always presents a good time to take a step back from the storylines of the current season and evaluate the bigger picture. Just how good are the Steelers? What are their biggest roster needs? And who are some early targets in the upcoming 2027 draft?
With no game this weekend to distract from, here are six recent national NFL mock drafts and the Steelers’ projected first-round selection in each. You can click on each pick’s heading to read the full draft and see who was available when Pittsburgh was “on the clock.”
Let’s dive in:
Pick 27: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Fox Sports’ Rob Rang: Given the investment made in Drew Allar last spring, I don’t believe the Steelers are planning to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2027 draft. However, should an abbreviated 2026 season push Dante Moore — the most talented passer in this class — far enough down the board, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to adjust its plan.
Pick 27: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs and Rob Gregson: While Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr. and Daylen Everette have done a nice job this season, Ellis Robinson IV would transform that secondary. He’s one of the most complete corners in this class, and he plays with a physicality and tenacity that scream Pittsburgh.
Pick 28: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson: The Steelers need a QB. This is not up for debate. But do they roll with ’26 third-rounder Drew Allar? Would, say, 6-foot-4 Austin Simmons make more sense here? Or does Mike McCarthy roll the dice on Chambliss, who is not 6-foot but has played a lot of high-level SEC football and is a proven winner?
Pick 22: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Grappling with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is never fun for opponents. That’s the Steelers’ reality for the foreseeable future, however, and sending off Joey Porter Jr. only complicates that task. At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Jones combines the size to pester both well-built receivers and the speed to stick close by each one.
Pick 28: Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo: The Pittsburgh Steelers will probably transition to Will Howard or Drew Allar at quarterback next season. They should explore their potential post-Aaron Rodgers before spending another pick at quarterback. They could help their young starter by adding a workhorse running back like Florida’s Jadan Baugh.
Pick 28: Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
NFL Stock Exchange’s Connor Rogers: “I think (the Steelers) offensive line has a lot of young talent, and it feels like they’re probably pretty excited about Drew Allar after Aaron Rodgers — I’m not really thinking quarterback here yet. … I literally looked up DK (Metcalf’s) contract wondering about (drafting Texas’ Cam Coleman), but it’s not pretty, so it’s not happening here. … But when you watch Tae Johnson’s 2025 tape, it’s game-changing safety-level stuff. If he’s healthy and comes back this year and returns to the form he had last year, this is well worth this selection.
The Steelers are currently on track to pick in the late-20s of the first round. Currently, the team has nine picks in 2027: one each in Rounds 1 and 2, two in Round 3, none in Round 4, one in Round 5 and two each in Rounds 6 and 7. The Steelers are not projected to earn any compensatory picks in 2027 according to Over the Cap.
Which of the above players caught your eye the most? Which position do you think the Steelers will target in the first round? Want to make any way-too-early predictions yourself? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments.
