The 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a quarterback-rich affair, with six players in the top tier alone, according to The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner. This draft class is so deep that it's projected to have five or more quarterbacks taken in the first round. But who are these potential first-round picks, and what does it mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Let's dive in.
The Top Tier
Baumgardner's top-tier quarterbacks are a who's who of college football's most promising signal-callers. Texas' Arch Manning, Oregon's Dante Moore, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, and USC's Jayden Maiava all belong here. These players are expected to be among the first few names called in the draft, and for good reason. Manning, in particular, has been a standout performer, and his bloodline doesn't hurt either.
However, it's important to remember that these players are not guaranteed to declare for the draft. Moore, for instance, returned to Oregon this year despite being projected as the No. 2 pick. This shows that even the most highly touted prospects can change their minds, and it adds an element of uncertainty to the draft process.
Tier 2: Brendan Sorsby
Baumgardner places Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby in Tier 2, a tier of his own. Sorsby was once a projected first-round pick, but an investigation into his gambling activities has cast a shadow over his future. Despite receiving an injunction to play this season, Sorsby's off-the-field red flags could cause him to fall further than expected. He'll need to have a strong season to maintain his first-round status.
Tier 3: The Deep End
The final tier, Tier 3, features LSU's Sam Leavitt, Miami's Darian Mensah, Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers. Leavitt and Sellers had first-round buzz before the 2025 season, but their performances didn't live up to the hype, leading them to return to school. Chambliss, on the other hand, had legitimate first-round potential if he hadn't decided to return to Ole Miss.
Steelers' Options
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2027 draft presents an interesting dilemma. With the team already having drafted Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 draft, they may still be in the market for a quarterback. The depth of this quarterback class means that the Steelers could potentially draft a first-round quarterback, especially considering the 11 players in the top three tiers and the talent in the third tier.
However, an ideal scenario for the Steelers would be for Allar and/or Will Howard to develop enough to make the team's quarterback situation secure. In a talent-rich class, this is a real possibility, and it's fascinating to consider the potential options available to the team.
In conclusion, the 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a quarterback-rich affair, with a deep class of prospects. The Pittsburgh Steelers have their work cut out for them, but with the right development from their current quarterbacks, they may not need to reach for a new signal-caller in the draft. It's a draft that could shape the future of the Steelers' franchise, and it's one to watch closely.
