Steelers News: Despite track record, Mike Tomlin will have options at CB in the 2019 NFL Draft

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 how Mike Tomlin, despite his sub par record at drafting cornerbacks, will have plenty to choose from in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

Let’s get to the news:

• Don’t want the Steelers to draft a cornerback in the first round? Despite their history, Mike Tomlin will have players to choose from at the CB position.

Carter’s Classroom: Tomlin’s cornerback options

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

Every year Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert are questioned on their ability to draft solid cornerbacks, and after 12 seasons together the questions can’t get much louder.

The failure to draft good cornerbacks made the position a major liability before the arrival of Joe Haden. Still, Haden will be 30 this month and the addition of Steven Nelson does not negate the Steelers’ need for a young star at the position.

Let’s look at their best options in the 2019 NFL Draft:

To read the full article, click HERE

• Just when you thought every former player who might have had a beef with Ben Roethlisberger has already climbed out of their hole...Rashard Mendenhall does this:

Rashard Mendenhall clumsily makes a point about criticism of athletes

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

...one former Steelers player created a stir on Friday morning with an accusation that he made on Twitter — nearly three hours before explaining that he didn’t really mean it.

Capping a stream of tweets in which former Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall, a first-round pick in 2008 who more recently has served as a writer on HBO’s Ballers, took issue with attacks on former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, Mendenhall blurted out this: “Alright, I’ll end the mystery. . . [Ben Roethlisberger is] racist and [Antonio Brown is] black. He had to catch balls from a racist quarterback. Every honest player knows it, it’s not a big deal. He was just supposed to take his lickings and move on, like a slave for real.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• One former head coach of the Oakland Raiders sees Antonio Brown for what he really is...a pain in the posterior.

Jack Del Rio: Antonio Brown is “going to be a pain in the ass”

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

As former Jaguars and Raiders coach Jack Del Rio pivots to a season in the media, he’s saying plenty of things. And he’s supplementing his head’s up regarding a potential Russell Wilson trade by invoking an opposite portion of the anatomy.

“I love the talent, but [Antonio Brown] has clearly shown that he’s going to be a pain in the ass,” Del Rio tells NFL.com. “He’s a very talented guy and I would love to have him. I would work with him no problem. If [players] have talent, you tend to tolerate it a little bit unless it becomes disruptive to your team. He’s going to have to learn that to really help the team. If he continues doing the things he’s been doing, just like he upset the Steelers, he’s going to upset the next team he’s on. There are certain things — I mean, this is America and he’s free to do what he wants — but those aren’t the things that are indicative of a good teammate. The working hard and being a good player definitely helps the team, which is why he’ll continue to get chances to be special until his skills deteriorate. That’s when people will get tired of him.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Don’t think the Steelers need a pass rusher in the upcoming draft? Think again...

Tim Benz: Steelers must meaningfully address pass-rushing depth in draft

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

...Regardless, the team left the cupboard bare behind T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree at outside linebacker. Much like last year, it’s Anthony Chickillo and no one else behind those two starters.

That’s not enough. What if either of those two suffers a major injury? And let’s remember, Dupree is operating on his fifth-year, rookie-deal option. He’ll probably be gone next year, and he didn’t give the Steelers a lot last year — just 5.5 sacks (one during the final five weeks).

I understand the role of the outside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 defense has changed in recent years. They drop in coverage more often, they contain more on the edges than charge upfield and the sacks seem to be coming from the interior defensive linemen as much as they are the OLBs these days.

Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargrave and Stephon Tuitt combined for 20 sacks. Watt, Dupree and Chickillo also had 20...

To read the full article, click HERE

• AFC North Links

Marshal Yanda is sticking with the Ravens for another season
The Browns wheeling and dealing history continues
Punters can come from anywhere
Despite now being a member of the Ravens, Earl Thomas wants to be known as a Seahawk

• Social Media Madness