Steelers News: Anchoring down the Steelers’ top draft need heading into the offseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at what might be the biggest team need for the Steelers this offseason.

Let’s get to the news:

• What would be the Steelers’ biggest team need heading into the offseason? ESPN tries to narrow it down...

2020 NFL combine: Draft needs, prospects to target for all 32 NFL teams

By: NFL Nation, ESPN

What is the Steelers’ biggest draft need? Here is what ESPN suggest:

Tight end. The Steelers’ tight ends were woefully underutilized and ineffective last season. Much of that is injury-related, with Vance McDonald missing two games and the quarterback carousel failing to find a consistent rhythm with either McDonald or Nick Vannett. With McDonald as a potential cap casualty and Vannett as an unrestricted free agent, the Steelers best option to fortify the group is through the draft, and if the team opts to choose one with their first selection in the second round, they should have their pick of the tight ends in the 2020 class. More positions to watch: RB, G, DT, WR — Brooke Pryor

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Vontaze Burfict is back in the NFL, and no, this isn’t a joke.

Tim Benz: NFL is insane for reinstating Vontaze Burfict

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The National Football League is welcoming back longtime Steelers nemesis Vontaze Burfict.

The NFL deserves whatever comes next as a result of this decision.

Unfortunately, whatever player Burfict attacks next does not.

According to NFL.com, the former Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker quietly got reinstated by the NFL last month.

This comes after Burfict was suspended the final 12 games of last season for an illegal hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle.

SB Nation researched that Burfict racked up over $4.5 million in career fines and forfeited pay in his seven years with the Bengals, even before that hit and eventual suspension.

Yet, for some reason, the league seems to feel he deserves another chance.

Let’s hope each individual team disagrees and refuses to sign him.

I mean, I’m not in favor of collusion. But in this case… I’m in favor of collusion.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Antonio Brown isn’t coming back, but Kevin Colbert said Brown will always be a part of the organization.

Antonio Brown will ‘always be one of us,’ Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

General manager Kevin Colbert is ready to roll out the welcome mat for former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown — but not necessarily as a player.

Colbert reiterated Tuesday at the NFL Combine what coach Mike Tomlin told ESPN earlier this month: that Brown always will be part of the Steelers family despite the turmoil surrounding his NFL career that is in limbo.

Brown remains unsigned while the NFL investigates sexual assault claims made against him last season.

“We’re always going to be worried about Antonio and where he is and his own well being,” Colbert said. “Not Antonio Brown, AB, No. 84, the player. We’re worried about Antonio Brown, the person. That will never change no matter if he plays for us or he plays for another team or doesn’t play at all. He’ll always be one of us as far as his life is concerned.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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