Peter King tabs the Steelers as the third best team in the AFC North in 2019

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The offseason is when NFL pundits get to spout off about who they think is best, without them even playing a snap.

There are certain websites, and writers, who love to rock the boat. Why? Because they know it will create discussion. It is a solid business model for a site trying to drive traffic to their website, and NBC Sports as a part of Pro Football Talk, among others, is near the top of the heap when it comes to this style of online journalism.

One of the things NBC Sports does well are their constant thread of articles, and writers like Peter King on staff. There aren’t many more who are more respected than King, and King knows how to stir up the NFL landscape.

His latest article was a 1-32 Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings article.

While we all recognize these rankings are meaningless, it is a good place to take a look at how your favorite team, in this case the Pittsburgh Steelers, stack up against their peers in the NFL.

For the beloved black-and-gold, it seems like ages ago when they were considered a Top 5 team on rankings like this one. They always applauded the offensive line, franchise quarterback and the ‘Killer B’s’. While the quarterback and line remain the same, plenty of other aspects have changed.

After the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Steelers adding 9 players to their current roster, Peter King has decided the Steelers are closer to the back of the pack than the front. In fact, he has them as the third best team in the AFC North!

Take a look at the latest rankings below, and let us know what you think in the comment section below!

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. New England Patriots
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. New Orleans Saints
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Chicago Bears
10. Minnesota Vikings
…
11. Cleveland Browns
12. Baltimore Ravens
…
18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-6-1)

It’s going to be peaceful in Pittsburgh without the weekly (daily?) questions about Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. But with all the distractions and discord last year, the Steelers still averaged 26.8 points per game, and I’ll be surprised if they reach those heights this year. Steelers players might find it more placid coming to work and games this year with Antonio Brown 2,300 miles away, but how are they replacing Brown’s 115 catches a year over the last five seasons? With James Washington? Donte Moncrief? Doubt it. More likely, Pittsburgh turns to the man who cost them first, second and third-round picks on draft day, linebacker Devin Bush, and hopes he can be the sideline-to-sideline presence Ryan Shazier was until that fateful night in Cincinnati late in the 2017 season.