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The Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft is officially over. After finishing last year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, have 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 how the Steelers’ offense, and viewers, were big winners during the draft.
Let’s get to the news:
- The Steelers had 6 picks in the NFL Draft, 3 on offense and 3 on defense, but it was the offense that was a big winner.
John Steigerwald: Viewers, Steelers offense winners in NFL Draft
By: John Steigerwald, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
America survived. Remember all of those people who trashed the NFL when it announced the draft would go on as scheduled April 24?
Here’s what ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said April 1: “We all want to see the days where we have that distraction of football. But OTAs? That’s not happening,” Schefter said. “The offseason program? That’s not happening. The draft is happening only through the sheer force and determination and lack of foresight from the NFL, frankly. They are determined to put this on while there is carnage in the streets.”
Carnage in the streets?
The draft went off without a hitch, and America got to see Bill Belichick acting almost human in his family room with his dog.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- The Steelers bucked their trend of going with young players in the recent NFL Draft.
Youth takes backseat to experience in Steelers draft class
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The makeup of the Pittsburgh Steelers draft this weekend took on a different feel, and it had nothing to do with restrictions placed on the organization by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Steelers went with more experienced players, shunning the underclassmen they typically covet when sifting through college prospects.
Five of the six players the Steelers chose over the past two days were upperclassmen, including three redshirt seniors. The only underclassman was running back Anthony McFarland Jr., a redshirt sophomore from Maryland.
General manager Kevin Colbert pointed out the trend to coach Mike Tomlin after the Steelers selected Louisiana guard Kevin Dotson, a redshirt senior, with their second pick of the fourth round.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- A review of the lesser known Day 3 Steelers draft picks.
Labriola on Day 3 of the NFL Draft
By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com
On the first day, they watched other teams try to do with their first-round picks what the Steelers already had done with theirs, which was turn it into a first-team All-Pro player at a position of significant need.
On the second day, they took a shot at doing something to help an offense that finished the previous regular season tied-for-last in touchdowns scored before adding a player to help protect a pass rush that had been a league-wide strength for the past few years.
And then yesterday they followed up with a couple of moves aimed at putting more teeth into their running attack, and then making a couple of attempts to replace a couple of pieces on defense that they had lost so far this offseason.
The 2020 NFL Draft is over for the Steelers, and now the important work is to begin, because it’s one thing to assemble the pieces, but the puzzle is incomplete, the picture doesn’t come into focus until all of them are fitted together. And based on the pieces the Steelers have assembled over the last few days, the picture General Manager Kevin Colbert and Coach Mike Tomlin is one of a physical football team willing to play the sport in a manner where the outcome is determined by waging a war of attrition.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed...
Some NFL Draft grades for the Steelers class of 2020
Updating the Steelers’ depth charts post-draft
Alex Highsmith might have been a reach to some, but not to the Steelers
The complete list of Steelers draft picks
The Steelers officially signed 10 UDFAs
- Social Media Madness
Earlier this week, @Dangerfield__ spent time teaching an online gym class to fourth graders from the Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/ZMJlndUnqW
— Steelers Community Relations (@SteelersCR) April 26, 2020
Want to know more about the #Steelers third-round pick @highsmith34? #SteelersDraft ANALYSIS: https://t.co/3K1cEknNCV pic.twitter.com/BAjqkKXBHn
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) April 26, 2020
.@missi_matthews checks in with WR @ChaseClaypool to discuss being drafted by the #Steelers, the format of this year’s #NFLDraft, virtually meeting some of his new teammates & more.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2020
FULL : https://t.co/BVky4K0vvl@UPMC pic.twitter.com/KCZYK96cRt
Coach Tomlin & GM Kevin Colbert wrap up the 2020 #NFLDraft.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2020
Full : https://t.co/ZLzmC5NicA@UPMC pic.twitter.com/HgCSwQyng8