The Pittsburgh Steelers received four additional selections in the 2026 NFL Draft with compensatory picks. Pundits expect those extra choices to be a great asset to Steelers general manager Omar Khan.
However, Khan and the Steelers aren’t on track to get any compensatory picks in 2027.
According to Over the Cap, the Steelers have cancelled out their three qualifying CFAs. The team did that with the additions it made in NFL free agency.
Free agents Isaac Seumalo, Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre leaving set up the Steelers to possibly earn compensatory picks a year from now. But the Rico Dowdle, Jaquan Brisker and Sebastian Joseph-Day signings will likely result in no additional picks for Pittsburgh.
Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle argued Tuesday that Khan faced long odds of maximizing the compensatory pick formula this offseason anyway. But no additional draft capital is still disappointing with the Steelers potentially set to search for a quarterback in the 2027 draft.
Omar Khan, Steelers Not Likely to Receive 2027 Compensatory Picks
As Steelers nation will see in the 2026 NFL Draft, compensatory picks can really boost a team’s draft capital.
This spring, the Steelers gained an extra third-round pick — the No. 99 overall selection — thanks to the compensatory formula. Khan will also have another fifth-rounder and two extra sixth-rounders to play with in 2026.
“The picks are based on losses and gains from the previous year in free agency,” wrote Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley on March 9. “The following are the losses/gains for the Steelers listed by the NFL:
“Free agent losses: James Daniels, Justin Fields, Najee Harris, Donte Jackson, Dan Moore, Elandon Roberts and Russell Wilson.
“Free agent gains: Brandin Echols, Malik Harrison and Mason Rudolph.”
Khan has typically done a great job of maximizing the compensatory pick formula. But last season, the Steelers had a lot more potential in that area.
Last spring, Pittsburgh had two pending free agent quarterbacks. Left tackle Dan Moore also signed a major contract in the 2025 offseason.
In 2026 NFL free agency, the Steelers didn’t have as many big-named free agents. Seumalo was the team’s biggest departure in the formula.
How 2027 Compensatory Pick Projection Could Impact Steelers 2026 Draft
The Steelers won’t have to be concerned about the lack of 2027 compensatory picks for another year. However, McCorkle argued it will likely already be on Khan’s mind this offseason.
McCorkle predicted how the lack of projection 2027 compensatory picks could influence how the Steelers draft this year.
“With no projected comp picks, the Steelers currently have a 2027 pick in each round other than the sixth, and two in the seventh,” McCorkle wrote. “That’s a far cry from the 12 picks, and five in the top 100, that Pittsburgh has this year …
“Perhaps they will look to recoup additional 2027 value via trade. Giving up 2026 draft value to pick up 2027 value could make sense.”
A lot of pundits argued the Steelers tried to load up on 2026 draft picks to have the ability to move up the board for a quarterback. But based on pundits around the team on a daily basis, the Steelers don’t plan to take a signal-caller early in the 2026 class.
So, it would make sense for the team to push some of its draft capital into 2027 to increase their ability to move up for a quarterback next year.
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