Black and Gold Links: The 2019 draft class could force out several regulars on the Steelers’ roster

POSTED IN | no comments

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

With the 2019 NFLDraft in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. As the team now turns their attention to more offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp, there is no shortage of news.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the newest crop of Steelers selected could end the tenure of several players on the current roster.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers doubled-down on their team needs in the 2019 NFL Draft, and because of this there is a very real chance there are some “regulars” who find themselves on the outside looking in when the roster gets trimmed down to 53 players.

Tim Benz: NFL Draft could have a big impact on many current Steelers

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

And they better hope the rookies drafted to battle them for playing time — linebacker Devin Bush, receiver Diontae Johnson, and cornerback Justin Layne — are all at least as good by the end of 2019 as Terrell Edmunds was at the end of his 2018 rookie campaign.

Because the Steelers decided to double-down on addressing those three positions in both the draft and free agency, they left a few other positions unaddressed. Two that leap to mind are outside linebacker and safety. It doesn’t stop there, though. The Steelers’ draft strategy may wind up thrusting quite a few existing players into expanded — or very different — roles in 2019.

To read the full article, click HERE

• After the draft, the question remains: Who runs the AFC North?

Kevin Gorman: Now that the NFL Draft is over, who runs the AFC North?

By: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The NFL Draft saw the Pittsburgh Steelers make a leap of faith at linebacker, the Baltimore Ravens strengthen their skill positions, the Cleveland Browns pick a kicker and the Cincinnati Bengals bolster their offensive line.

Who will be the king in the AFC North?

The Browns made the boldest pre-draft move, sending their first-round pick to the New York Giants for All-Pro receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The Steelers took the biggest risk, trading up 10 spots to draft inside linebacker Devin Bush 10th overall.

But this one is a close call.

To read the full article, click HERE

• While everyone gushes over the Steelers’ 9 new draft picks, many feel there were a lot of players left which could have really helped the team in 2019.

Tim Benz: Let’s talk about what the Steelers DIDN’T get during the draft

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

We’ve spent three days talking about what the Pittsburgh Steelers got in the draft. Now let’s talk about what they didn’t get.

That’s quality “starter-in-waiting” (to use a Tomlinism) depth for two positions where they are thin and potentially will be thinner after this season because of free agency: outside linebacker and safety.

No safeties were drafted or acquired last month via free agency. The only undrafted free agent safety obtained was West Virginia’s Dravon Askew-Henry.

To read the full article, click HERE

• The Steelers fan base is awaiting a chance to claim Devin Bush as the next Ryan Shazier, but the Michigan product doesn’t want any part of such a claim.

Steelers LB Bush shrugs off Shazier comparisons

By: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Bush appears to be in the club. But on the field, Bush plans to be his own man and isn’t feeling pressure to replace Shazier.

”Ryan Shazier is a great linebacker and I know he’s going to make a comeback,” Bush said. “I’m Devin Bush and he’s Ryan Shazier. We may have similar play styles, but I’m Devin Bush at the end of the day and I’m not trying to be Ryan Shazier.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Social Media Madness