Black and Gold Links: Rookie CB Justin Layne knows how to find the football, something the Steelers need

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

With the 2019 NFL Draft 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 the Steelers’ 3rd round pick of Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne. In this breakdown it shows how Layne is someone who doesn’t just find the ball well, but knows how to take it away. Something the Steelers desperately need.

Let’s get to the news:

• Justin Layne is a former wide receiver, so it should come as a shock to no one that he has superior ball skills as a cornerback. To say the Steelers could use this on their defense is a gigantic understatement.

Carter’s Classroom: Layne finds the ball

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

The Steelers double-dipped at cornerback by signing Steven Nelson in free agency and drafting Justin Layne from Michigan State with their second pick in the third round, the 83rd overall pick in the draft.

Layne was among the better cornerback prospects projected to be drafted on Day 2, though some draft analysts, including Mel Kiper, gave him a first-round grade. However, when Deandre Baker was the only cornerback drafted in the first round and six others were taken in the second round, Layne’s value was in question until the Steelers made him the 10th cornerback selected.

Nelson and Joe Haden are the going to start, so Layne doesn’t have the pressure of having to produce immediately. But his college tape shows promise and the Steelers are excited about his potential. The Steelers aren’t alone. ESPN’s Todd McShay rated Layne as his favorite of the Steelers’ nine picks, Devin Bush included, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierleinselected Layne as one of his three favorite picks of the third round.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Steelers Rookie minicamp is finally here. Some storylines to follow as the newbies get indoctrinated into the NFL.

Rookie minicamp: Lolley’s five things to watch

By Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

The Steelers will get their first look at their draft class on the football field this weekend as they begin their rookie minicamp Friday.

And while the team obviously felt good about what it accomplished two weeks ago when it selected these nine players in the draft, there are times when draft picks set foot on the field and are better — or worse — than anticipated.

That said, there isn’t a lot that goes on in these kind of settings that should overwhelm any of the young players. The coaching staff expects mistakes. What the staff doesn’t want to see are the same mistakes made over and over.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Speaking of rookie minicamp, the minicamp roster has officially been announced.

Minicamp roster announced

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Steelers’ players will take the field this weekend for the team’s rookie minicamp, the first time the new draft class and undrafted free agents will be together.

The team will also be joined by some first-year players, as well as rookies who are there on a tryout basis.

The Steelers will hold five practices over the three days, including two on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday.

The team’s rookie minicamp roster, which includes 60 players, is below. The numbers assigned to the players are subject to change, with only first-round pick Devin Bush’s No. 55 official.

To see the full roster, click HERE

• Sticking with the rookie theme, the Steelers rookie minicamp, which is a three day affair, has the rookies in town for their first football experience. Hear what some of them had to say.

The rookies have arrived

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

For some of them, it was the first time they ever walked into the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. For others, they had been there before, either for a pre-draft visit or during draft weekend.

But for all of them it was the beginning of a new adventure, a new chapter in their lives.

“I have been getting asked by people since the draft, what’s it feel like? Does it feel real?” said Zach Gentry, the tight end from Michigan the Steelers took in the fifth round. “It hadn’t hit me yet. I think today it finally hit me, being in the building, being around the other guys. It’s go-time tomorrow.

“I am excited. I am stoked to get out there and show what I have. I am very excited about it.”

It was arrival day for the Steelers rookie class on Thursday, a day to settle in and learn where everything is before the team’s three-day minicamp kicks off on Friday.

To read the full article, click HERE

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