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5 reasons Steelers can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin Bush poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted tenth overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin Bush poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted tenth overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

4. Immediate impact from rookies

Dating back to 2013, Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert has used seven consecutive first-round selections on defensive help. The count is now five linebackers and a pair of defensive backs. Back in late April, the franchise broke from and actually traded up in the first round (from No. 20) to select University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush.

“We didn’t move up in Round 1 to take him so he can watch,” explained head coach Mike Tomlin recently to USA Today’s Jarrett Bell. “We moved up for that guy to play football.” Pittsburgh’s defense was actually ranked fairly high a year ago in the NFL in terms of total yards (6th), rushing yards (6th) and passing yards per game (10th). However, the numbers were certainly deceiving. The Steelers allowed 40 offensive touchdowns (27 through the air) despite tying for the league lead with 52 sacks.

Of course, the promising Bush is not the only rookie looking to make a quick impression. The club used third-round picks on wide receiver Diontae Johnson (3-Toledo) and cornerback Justin Layne (3b-Michigan State). The latter could be a big addition to a secondary that has struggled to shore up that position. Meanwhile, Johnson is in the mix with Donte Moncrief and James Washington for the starting job opposite Juju Smith-Schuster. Elsewhere, could fourth-round running back Benny Snell (Kentucky) spell James Conner when called upon?

If the Steelers are going to surge past the reigning AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens, they need a few of their young players to step up in their debut campaigns.

Next: No. 3

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