Steelers News: When it comes to the Steelers’ plans for Anthony McFarland, size doesn’t matter

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 size, or lack thereof, for Anthony McFarland won’t impact the Steelers’ plans for him this season.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers have big plans for Anthony McFarland, regardless of his size.

Rookie RB Anthony McFarland’s size not a deterrent in Steelers’ plans for him

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The NFL’s leading rusher last season for both the regular season and postseason stands 6 feet 3 and weighs 247 pounds. It is often said the NFL is a copycat league, but the incoming rookie running backs class has little resemblance with the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry.

Of the 16 running backs taken in last month’s draft, only two are within 5 inches of Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama who broke out as a star in the NFL in 2019. None the 16 drafted 2020 running backs were taller than 6 feet (A.J. Dillon) or weighed more than 226 pounds (Jonathan Taylor).

In other words, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest running back has much more in common with his incoming rookie position classmates than he does the player who gained 1,986 yards and had 17 touchdowns rushing over 18 games played (including the playoffs) last season.

But the 5-8, 208-pound Anthony McFarland doesn’t have to use height to stand tall as a rookie for the Steelers.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The University of Maryland is becoming a heavy recruiting area for the black-and-gold.

Fear the turtle: Maryland developing strong pipeline to Steelers

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

There is no truth to the rumor the Great Allegheny Passage biking and hiking trail that runs southeast from Pittsburgh was forged by a convoy of future Steelers. But in recent years, it seems as if it could have been.

The Steelers have taken three University of Maryland players over the past two NFL Drafts. Over the past five drafts, they have taken three safeties who were standouts at Maryland high schools and/or colleges. And no other college is more well-represented on the Steelers current 90-man roster than Maryland.

“Yep, a lot of Maryland guys, man,” recent fourth-round pick Anthony McFarland said. “Definitely happy to get drafted and add to it.”

McFarland, a running back, joined sixth-round safety Antoine Brooks as former Terrapins who soon will make the move north across the Mason-Dixon Line once government and league officials allow UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to open to players amid concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald are restoring faith in the Steelers’ TE position.

Ebron, McDonald could restore prominence, production at tight end

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

When the Steelers signed tight end Eric Ebron earlier this year to a two-year, $12 million contract, it marked yet another investment into the position.

After all, Vance McDonald already counts $3.8 million against the team’s 2020 salary cap, while the Steelers spent a fifth-round draft pick on Zach Gentry in 2019.

But, it also begged the question: What exactly can we expect from the Steelers’ tight ends in 2020?

“You want to be able to create unique personnel groups and matchups for those you compete against,” Mike Tomlin said on a Steelers Nation Unite call this past week. “We are excited about having Ebron in the mix. We know that he and Vance McDonald are the type of duo that are capable of creating issues for people with their talent. We are excited about having those guys. We will sort out the usage of those guys week-to-week.”

If recent history shows anything, it could mean big things for the position.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• BTSC articles you may have missed...

When it comes to NFL rookies, expectations are key

Some of the things the NFL wants to do with the Rooney Rule is crazy

Think times are tough? Try being a Steelers rookie

Give us your HOTTEST Steelers take

When will the block numbers return to the Steelers uniforms for good?

• Social Media Madness