The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. 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 whether or not Le’Veon Bell’s stock is actually trending up...this after deciding to sit out the entire 2018 season rather than suit up under the franchise tag for a second straight season.

Believe it or not, but there are some out there who believe this is exactly the case with the All-Pro running back...

Let’s get to the news:

RB stock watch: Derrick Henry up, LeSean McCoy down

By: Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com

Before the offseason really gets going, I want to look back at the 2018 season once more and identify some running backs who exceeded or fell short of expectations. Below are five running backs whose stock rose after strong seasons and four backs whose stock fell after disappointing performances.

STOCK UP

Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers: After sitting out the entire 2018 season, Bell should be quite the hot commodity if he does indeed hit the market in March. He was the best running back coming into the 2018 season, and a year off, in which he was able to rest and get 100 percent healthy, only makes him more dangerous for 2019. Plus, the Pittsburgh Steelers failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013, further supporting Bell’s worth.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: Over the last three seasons, Henry has shown that he’ll be productive if he gets the opportunity. Like a fine wine, he is getting better with each passing year and put an exclamation point on his most recent campaign by averaging 146.2 rushing yards per game in the final quarter of the 2018 season. Henry went from averaging 10.7 carries per game through 12 games and losing his starting spot to Dion Lewis midway through the year to averaging 21.8 carries per game and establishing himself as one of the biggest threats down the stretch. As I mentioned in this space a month ago, Henry, who will enter his fourth NFL season next fall, is deserving of a new deal.

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts: Mack saw a huge increase in production from Year 1 to Year 2. After rushing for 358 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (zero starts) as a rookie, he put up 908 yards and nine TDs on the ground in just 12 games (10 starts) in 2018. Behind a stout offensive line, Mack proved he is capable of being the future in the Colts’ backfield.

(To read more, click the link in the headline...)

Pittsburgh Steelers Strike Gold in Exchange for Antonio Brown

By: Brad Gagnon, Bleacher Report

1. The Pittsburgh Steelers have left the door open for a trade involving Brown, who also hasn’t shied away from voicing his displeasure with the team. A divorce could be coming. In fact, the odds via BookMaker now favor that.
2. At this point, a team that typically operates conservatively in February and March might simply have to hope that it’ll get a home run offer for Brown. After all, the 30-year-old makes big money, he’s probably on the verge of a decline and the Steelers are in good shape in the receiving corps with JuJu Smith-Schuster ready to move into the No. 1 role.
3. What would a home run look like? Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported last month that the Steelers want a first-round pick for Brown, and it’s possible they’ll get something close to that from a cap-rich team in a bidding war. So let’s go with that.
4. Potential trade: Steelers trade Brown to San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the No. 36 overall pick in the 2019 draft.

(To read more, click the link in the headline...)

Tim Benz, Jeff Erickson discuss fantasy fallout of Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown sagas

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire.

We talk about the potential fantasy fallout of the crazy offseasons surrounding Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

Then there is the late season slump by Todd Gurley. How will that impact his draft stock next year?

Are fantasy baseball owners staying away from Bryce Harper and Manny Machado as MLB drafts approach?

We also kick around how NHL and NBA owners are reacting to recent trades, including Derick Brassard.

Listen: Tim Benz, Jeff Erickson discuss fantasy fallout of Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown sagas