Steelers News: Is the 2019 NFL Draft a go-big-or-go-home scenario for Kevin Colbert?

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 some are suggesting Kevin Colbert and the Steelers must trade up in the first round to get a player who will make a difference in 2019.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers fan base wants the team, and GM Kevin Colbert, to make a splash in this 2019 NFL Draft by trading up. But should they?

Carter’s Classroom: Colbert must trade up

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

All eyes are on Kevin Colbert and what moves he could make in the NFL draft.

If there ever was a year for Colbert to be aggressive to get higher in the first round, this is it. Specifically because there still remains a pressing need for a game changing inside linebacker and there are very good prospects drawing interest from several teams ahead of the Steelers.

Let’s look closer:

Last week I wrote about Mark Barron being a solid addition to the Steelers’ defense because of the team’s desperate need of coverage linebackers. This week is all about who Colbert can bring in behind Barron, or to start ahead of him.

The Steelers’ glaring need at inside linebacker is not just for a competent player at the position, but a playmaker who can change games by forcing turnovers or pulling off amazing plays that beat the X’s and O’s of opposing coaches.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Just when you thought the dirt couldn’t get deeper between the Steelers and Antonio Brown, it is third year wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is taking the high road.

JuJu Smith-Schuster calls Antonio Brown “my guy”

By: Charean Williams, ProFootballTalk

After JuJu Smith-Schuster defended Ben Roethlisberger‘s leadership last week, Antonio Brown responded with a message about his former teammate.

“Do not listen to any NFL player who haven’t got paid yet! They will do and say anything to make sure they going to get paid even if it’s compromising integrity or anything ! sad but true,” Brown wrote on social media.

Smith-Schuster, though, said the receivers do not have a beef.

“That’s my guy,” Smith-Schuster said, via TMZ Sports. “[Everything’s good between us] always. There’s no bad blood.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Jaylen Samuels was able to get some awesome experience in 2019, and he is more than excited to get back to work in year 2.

Samuels: ‘That is what I wanted’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

...It was a change, but a change he welcomed with open arms.

“That is what I wanted,” said Samuels. “I knew coming into the league I was going to play running back. I didn’t play running back in college, but I knew coming into the league that was going to be my position in the NFL.

“I knew what came with the job, what I had to do with pass protection, the physical side of it. I was watching different stuff on film. I started looking at what type of coverages they run, the pressures they bring, stuff like that, what type of front they are in. Adjusting to that was a key. Changing my game from a receiver to a running back, that was the biggest transition I did. I feel like I did pretty well with it. I knew what came with it, I was ready for the task.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• If the Steelers are going to get an impact player in the first round, it likely will come at the inside linebacker position. But can the Steelers land one of the ‘Devins’?

Can Steelers get either of ‘The Two Devins?’ NFL draft analyst discusses

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In Thursday’s Sided.co podcast, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com joins me to preview the NFL Draft.

We talk about the prospect of the Steelers getting one of “The Two Devins.” No doubt, Steelers fans have zeroed in on the prospect of the local team grabbing either LSU’s Devin White or Michigan’s Devin Bush. The two inside linebackers have become coveted in Western Pennsylvania as Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert continue to search for a way to replace Ryan Shazier.

But they both may be gone by the time the Steelers select at pick 20. So, should they trade up?

To read the full article, click HERE

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