CBS Sports Introduces Bold Twist in Early 2027 Steelers Mock Draft

With their relationship with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers uncertain, the organization has no assurances he will return to them for the upcoming season.

Behind him sit Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar—two intriguing but unproven options. New head coach Dave Canales has expressed optimism about Howard’s potential, but the reality remains: neither quarterback has taken a single regular‑season NFL snap.

Given those circumstances, one might expect this instability to influence CBS Sports’ 2027 mock draft, assembled by veteran analyst Josh Edwards. Instead, Edwards projects Pittsburgh to bypass the quarterback class entirely. Rather than linking the Steelers to one of the several promising passers expected in that draft, Edwards has them selecting Oregon defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington. His rationale centers on the age of franchise stalwart Cameron Heyward, who recently turned 37 and is nearing the end of a decorated career.

"Pittsburgh is once again in a sort of no man's land at the quarterback position. Cameron Heyward cannot play forever, and the Steelers will eventually need additional help along the defensive line, so they take A'Mauri Washington"

Heyward signed a one‑year extension in March, a move that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season. Still, it’s worth noting that the Steelers have already invested heavily in the interior defensive line. The team drafted Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black last spring, and Keeanu Benton emerged as a key contributor in 2026, finishing fourth on the roster in sacks. Those additions suggest Pittsburgh has been preparing for the eventual transition from its longtime defensive anchor.

The Steelers still find themselves searching for the kind of long‑term stability they once enjoyed under Ben Roethlisberger. And given the current state of the roster, it’s far more likely the organization will be focused on identifying that next franchise quarterback in next year’s draft rather than adding to a defensive front that already appears well‑stocked