5 bold predictions for Steelers heading into 2020 season
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to start a new chapter in 2020. Here are my five bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season.
Every year, I take a stab at making some bold predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming season. While some end up falling by the wayside, others ultimately come to fruition.
This year, making predictions won’t be easy. In years past, I have been able to spend a good amount of time at Steelers training camp watching and observing firsthand. After spending days in Latrobe, it’s not hard to figure out which players are a cut above the rest and which ones are likely to break out in the upcoming season.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of doing that in 2020. Still, that doesn’t mean that I can’t make some bold predictions prior to the start of the season. Here are five bold predictions that may or may not come to pass for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020:
Anthony McFarland will be RB2 by mid-year
Right now, Benny Snell Jr. is drawing a lot of hype because of his comments from James Conner. Snell came into camp in great shape this year – reportedly looking slim and fast. While this all can be true, Snell isn’t automatically going to become a great athlete because of it.
Though Snell has a desired frame for the running back position, he ran a thoroughly disappointing 4.66 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last year. Even if he drops that number by one-tenth with his ‘new body’ (which would be pretty impressive), he’s still on the slow side for a running back.
Anthony McFarland is not. In fact, he may end up being the fastest running back the Steelers have rostered since Willie Parker. While Snell will probably be more consistent pounding the ball for 3-5 yards per carry up the middle, the Steelers are going to fall in love with McFarland’s homerun speed. His ability to eat up chunk yardage in no time at all will end up making him the RB2 in Pittsburgh by mid-season.