5 reasons the Steelers will make playoffs without Antonio Brown

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team during warm ups before the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 24: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) after an NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 24, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Steelers defeated the Bucs 30-27. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. The Steelers can get an athletic linebacker

Pittsburgh officials would love to see Ryan Shazier make a miraculous return to the football field in the future. Sadly, that definitely isn’t going to happen for the Steelers in 2019. The unfortunate truth is that the team has missed his athleticism sorely ever since his injury.

Similar to the argument about making an upgrade at corner, the draft pick can be used to select a linebacker who can fill Shazier’s shoes. The addition of one more first rounder will make it much easier for the Steelers to justify drafting that sort of linebacker early in the draft. It might not come in round one, but it’s very possible the Steelers can find a reasonable replacement for Shazier in the second round.

Someone like Terrill Hanks or Vosean Joseph could be an excellent fit for the Steelers at that point in the draft. Both guys ran really well at the combine and their tape backs their natural speed up. Both guys will need some serious technique work at the next level, but that’s something Pittsburgh’s coaching staff prides itself on.

The key here is that adding another first rounder makes it easier for the Steelers to spend a valuable pick on a non-premium position. It’s possible that’s the only way Pittsburgh was going to be willing to spend a high enough pick to draft an impact linebacker this season.

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