Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Pre-OTAs Edition

With Rookie Minicamp in the books, the narrative of the ‘19 campaign continues with speculation galore. BTSC anticipates big storylines and issues bold statements regarding each one of them. Let’s take a look and deem them as fact or fiction.

Despite the contract extension, Ben Roethlisberger really needs to have a great season.

Fact

Ben has a history of playing better with a monkey on his back and I fully expect No. 7 to answer the most-recent criticism with a banner year. As much as I expect it, I find it even more necessary for Big Ben to answer that criticism and excel without Antonio Brown.

Tyler Matakevich is a lock to stay on the 53 Man Roster.

Fiction

While Dirty Red is an absolute demon on special teams, he’s a liability as a linebacker. Sutton Smith, Ulysses Gilbert and others might need to shine on ST to make the 53MR and their play on defense could be an upgrade.

Devin Bush will have the best-selling Steeler jersey in 2019.

Fiction

The No. 55 of the rookie ILB will fly off the shelves. In fact, mine arrived on Monday. However, I think JuJu Smith Schuster’s No. 19 will continue to be the top seller on the Steelers.

Sutton Smith is the most intriguing of all of the Steelers 2019 draft picks.

Fact

The top four picks (Bush, Diontae Johnson, Justin Layne and Bennie Snell Jr.) are expected to be contributors in one way or another. But Smith is a wild card due to his height/weight and his 28 sacks the last two years. Could the stud from the MAC perform at the highest of levels in the NFL? That’s where the intrigue lies.

A cornerback will switch to safety in 2019.

Fact

Cameron Sutton, Brian Allen and Mike Hilton all have competition in a revamped stable of corners. The rumors of experimenting with this trio continue. Anyone of them could challenge the likes of Marcus Allen and Jordan Dangerfield.

Am I right on? Or is my opinion pure poppycock? The comment section is yours to have your voice heard.