Most could care less about the NFL Draft after the Pittsburgh Steelers produced a massive Week 1 victory. With that said, no one should be looking past the upcoming selection process when spring rolls around. We know the Steelers are hard at work scouting different prospects who could enter the 2027 NFL Draft.
Early reports indicate the club could target another wide receiver.
One of the playmakers who the Steelers' scouts are keeping an eye on during the early part of the season is KJ Duff. The Rutgers receiver is producing massive numbers through two games of the campaign despite his team struggling to stay relevant. Duff might be one of the best wide receivers in college football with little press going his way. He might be high on Pittsburgh's early draft board.
According to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, the team sent assistant general manager Andy Weidl to scout KJ Duff in person this past weekend, and the club also had representation in attendance during the receiver's first game of the year. That's two weeks in a row, and Weidl's appearance should circle Duff as a top option.
This could become a shocking draft pick for the Steelers come April.
Pittsburgh Steelers early season scouting for WR KJ Duff makes him a high draft target
Now the question becomes: why would the Steelers want to target a wide receiver so early in the 2027 NFL Draft?
All eyes are on the quarterbacks, but the club going after another weapon on offense would be a surprise. Both Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf are well compensated, plus the team has Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard under contract. Adding Duff would be a shocking move.
Right now, Pro Football Focus has KJ Duff ranked as the third-best receiver in the draft and the 19th -best prospect in the class. He is a difference-maker at the position, and his draft stock could just continue to fly upward. The Steelers might not need to address the position now, but that could change.
With all of that in mind, there is a path where the team needs a top wide receiver next offseason.
After a rough Week 1 outing, Metcalf is catching some flak to start the season. If he continues to struggle in Pittsburgh this season, his cap situation could become expendable. After they scouted Duff for two weeks in a row, the Steelers are clearly showing their interest.
Having Weidle attend a game in person is vital, as was shown to be true after he did the same before they drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round.
It is still tough to find a realistic scenario where Duff lands in Pittsburgh during the draft with other pressing needs. You cannot deny the wide receiver's talent as he continues to produce massive numbers in a program that is struggling to survive.
Unless the Steelers somehow lose Metcalf or Pittman this upcoming offseason, it's hard to imagine KJ Duff being their pick, but it's not impossible.
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