Black and Gold Links: The Steelers’ pattern shows an OLB will be the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

25

Apr 2019

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Time to check on the latest news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how there is a very clear pattern in the Steelers’ drafts the past few years, and it shows their next pick could be an OLB.

Let’s get to the news:

  • Would you be okay if the Steelers took another OLB in Round 1?

If they follow pattern, Steelers will take OLB in 1st round of draft

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

On the other hand, it’s an odd-numbered year, which means it should be time for the Steelers to take an outside linebacker with their top pick.

The cycle started in 2013, when Jarvis Jones came aboard with the No. 17 overall pick. Two years later, it was Bud Dupree’s turn as the Steelers grabbed him with the No. 22 selection. In 2017, with the Steelers holding the No. 30 choice, they grabbed T.J. Watt.

Jones and Watt sit on opposite ends of the spectrum. Jones never got a second contract from the Steelers, and his NFL career, now over, included six sacks in four seasons. Watt, with two seasons on his resume, has 20 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance.

To read the full article, click HERE

  • Could the top priority not just be quality defenders, but players with the ability to take the football away?

Steelers targeting playmaking defenders in upcoming draft

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The shortage of defensive players wasn’t reflected in the total defense. The Steelers finished sixth, one tick lower than in 2017, but it was creating turnovers where the Steelers lacked a big playmaker in the middle and back end of the defense. After forcing 22 turnovers, including 16 interceptions, while going 13-3 in 2017, the Steelers created only 15 turnovers last season. The interceptions total was cut in half, with the Steelers tying a franchise low of eight.

And with only two NFL teams generating fewer turnovers, is it any wonder the Steelers went 9-6-1 and missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons?

Can those deficiencies be fixed? That will be a priority in this draft, which is expected to focus on defensive playmakers starting with the first round Thursday night.

“I think they can be addressed,” team president Art Rooney II said in January. “Number one, on defense we just have to be aggressive in taking the ball away and finding players that can do that. So I think that’s something you can improve, and we need to do that.”

To read the full article, click HERE

  • Talk about a lot of money for Big Ben…grab that bag!

Ben Roethlisberger agrees to two-year extension

By: Kevin Patra, NFL Network

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Big Ben’s extension is worth $68 million in the two new years of the deal and includes a $37.5 million signing bonus.

Roethlisberger was set to enter the 2019 campaign on the final year of a four-year, $87.6 million extension signed in 2015. The new extension now locks Big Ben in Pittsburgh through 2021.

”I am grateful to the Rooneys and the Steelers organization for continuing to believe in me,” Roethlisberger said in a statement. “It has always been a goal to play my entire career in Pittsburgh. This is home for me and my family, and we love this city. I am as excited to be a Steeler in year 16 as I was when they drafted me. They will get my absolute best.”

To read the full article, click HERE

  • A familiar face will be welcoming the Steelers’ top draft pick on Thursday night. Mr. ‘Mean’ Joe Greene.

Mean Joe to announce Steelers’ first-round pick

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

Last year, the Steelers were secretive about who would announce their first-round draft pick, as Ryan Shazier made an emotional and surprise walk across the stage to greet new teammate Terrell Edmunds.

This year, the Steelers’ first-round pick will get an immediate indoctrination into the team’s history.

Joe Greene will announce the team’s first-round pick this year in Nashville, Tenn., marking the 50-year anniversary of the Steelers selecting him in the first round of the 1969 draft and changing the team’s fortunes.

To read the full article, click HERE

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