The 2027 NFL Draft is still about a year away, but it's already shaping up to be one of the most electrifying classes in recent memory. With top-tier quarterback and receiver talent on the horizon, this draft could be a game-changer for teams looking to reload their offensive firepower.
Leading the charge are Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith, in particular, is drawing comparisons to legends like Ja'Marr Chase, Julio Jones, and Calvin Johnson—names that set the bar for elite NFL prospects. For a team like the Steelers, who overhauled their offense last offseason but still crave more firepower, this draft class couldn't come at a better time.
In one of the first early 2027 mock drafts, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the Steelers picking inside the top 10—and he has them selecting one of the fastest-rising quarterbacks in college football: Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker.
"A former walk-on, Mestemaker put himself on the NFL radar with his performance at North Texas last season," Brugler writes. "Now at Oklahoma State (with the same coaching staff), he has an ascending skill set that has scouts highly intrigued."
Mestemaker's rise is nothing short of remarkable. In his redshirt freshman season in 2025, he threw for a nation-leading 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns, earning American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors. His 9.5 yards per attempt also led the country, showcasing a deep-ball accuracy that turns heads.
But it's not just the numbers—Mestemaker's arm talent is jaw-dropping. His ability to create off-script, deliver pinpoint passes on the run, and make throws that seem almost impossible is what has scouts buzzing. Sure, his mechanics can get a little wild at times, but that's expected for a player with just one season of college experience. The fact that he's this dynamic and accurate as a former walk-on makes him one of the best stories in college football.
North Texas finished 12-2 last season with the nation's top passing attack, a testament to the system head coach Eric Morris built. Now at Oklahoma State, Mestemaker has the platform to prove his breakout season was no fluke—and possibly become the Steelers' quarterback of the future.