Steelers News: Steelers trying to find a role for dynamic rookie Anthony McFarland

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 will now be tasked with the challenge of finding a role for rookie RB Anthony McFarland.

Let’s get to the news:

• Anthony McFarland is dynamic, but the Steelers have to find a way to use him.

Steelers seek niche for rookie RB Anthony McFarland as James Conner retains starting role

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With the six players they added in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers provided depth and competition equally on offense and defense.

Three picks were used to address positions on each side of the ball, and the order of those selections indicated no immediate starters will be required from the group.

That is particularly true at running back, where James Conner will retain his starting job for the 2020 season, which is how general manager Kevin Colbert predicted it on numerous occasions heading into the draft.

While many fans and analysts thought the Steelers would take a running back with their second-round pick, it wasn’t until the third day of the draft and the fourth round that Maryland’s Anthony McFarland Jr. came off the board. A wide receiver and outside linebacker were the Steelers’ first two priorities.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers have all 10 of their Undrafted Rookie Free Agents under contract.

Steelers round out undrafted free agent class by signing Baylor DE James Lockhart

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

James Lockhart, a defensive end from Baylor, became the final member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ free agent class to sign his contract, finalizing his deal Friday.

Lockhart is the 10th undrafted free agent to sign with the Steelers in the aftermath of the NFL Draft last weekend.

A redshirt senior, the 6-foot-2, 263-pound Lockhart began his college career at Texas A&M but transferred to Baylor after two seasons. As a senior, he had six sacks and 31 tackles.

For his career, Lockhart played in 43 games, making 16 starts.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Are the Steelers one of “10 or 11” relevant teams?

Which are the 10 or 11 relevant teams?

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

Saints coach Sean Payton said over the weekend that the NFL has only 10 or 11 relevant teams at any given time. If he’s right (and he is), the challenge becomes identifying the 10 or 11 relevant teams.

It’s easy to peg six or seven of them. It’s harder to identify the last few, at the exclusion of others that are close to being in the group of relevant teams.

My own list consists of these no-brainer franchises: Chiefs, 49ers, Patriots, Ravens, Seahawks, Saints, Eagles, Steelers, Packers. That’s only nine; the last spot or two could go to the Rams, Cowboys, Buccaneers (as long as Tom Brady is there), or Vikings, or the Bills, Colts, Texans, or Titans.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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