Steelers News: The Steelers 2020 rookies might be special teams contributors more than anything else

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 Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 rookie class might be seen more on special teams than anything else this season.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie class might not be very big contributors in 2020, outside of special teams.

Steelers top picks likely to be seen more on special teams than offense/defense as rookies

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It’s an annual rite of spring for the Pittsburgh Steelers: Coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert sit down for remarks to the media about their newest top draft pick. And while this year’s gushing over superlatives and complimentary scouting reports were not about a first-round pick but a player taken No. 49 overall in the second round, something about their remarks was a little bit different, too.

When speaking about the virtues that stood out the first time they watched Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool in person, it wasn’t Claypool’s proficiency or abilities at his given position that caught their eye.

“The work he did on the special teams,” Colbert said, “really stood out in the (Senior Bowl) practices.”

A few minutes later, Tomlin likewise relayed how much Claypool raised their eyebrows at the winter’s most prestigious college all-star game, played annually in Mobile, Ala.

“His physicality really captured (our) attention… regardless of what drill he was in down in Mobile,” Tomlin said. “Whether it was a special teams drill, or whether it was a wide receiver-DB blocking drill.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mason Rudolph is now considered a Top 10 backup QB in the NFL. Yes, you read that right.

Rudolph pushing top 10 of the No. 2 QBs

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

As we’ve seen throughout this offseason, most fans only focus on the backup quarterback situation on their own team, failing to take a look around the league to compare other teams’ depth charts.

The bottom line is that there just aren’t many teams out there who can survive losing their starter for an extended period of time as the Steelers did in 2019 with Ben Roethlisberger.

Don’t think that’s the case? Well, we’ll take a look at the 32 backup situations around the league.

I’ve taken the liberty of breaking the backups around the league — as they figure to stand heading into the 2020 season and then ranking them in their groups.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Updating all the changes on the Steelers’ 2020 offseason roster.

Roster Recap: So many changes

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

It’s been a unique offseason for the Steelers and the entire NFL, as well as a unique time for the entire world.

During it, though, the Steelers organization has been keeping busy, with one of the main things building the 2020 roster over the last few months.

The changes have been fast and furious, and sometimes tough to keep up on. This roster recap will bring you a look at changes that have been made to the roster, from veteran free agent signings to the NFL Draft and everything in between.

The Steelers added some new faces to the team during the free agency period, signing three unrestricted free agents and also pulling off a trade for a division rival. The team acquired defensive Chris Wormley and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft from the Baltimore Ravens in a trade and sent the Ravens their fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The team also signed tight end Eric Ebron, fullback Derek Watt and offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski.

A new class of rookies emerged via the NFL Draft and the signing of undrafted rookie free agents. The draft picks include second-round pick Chase Claypool, third-round selection Alex Highsmith, fourth-round picks Anthony McFarland and Kevin Dotson, sixth-round pick Antoine Brooks and seventh-round selection Carlos Davis.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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