With The First Pick
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Pittsburgh Steelers Testing 1st-Round Pick

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 23, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) on the field before the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) on the field before the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers already have the most explosive offense in the NFL behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. And defensively, they’ve put together a nice, front-7 to stop the run and get after the quarterback. All they need going into this season is tightened up secondary.

That’s why the team took cornerback Artie Burns in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. If Burns works out for the Steelers this year, the team could very well end up going to the Super Bowl. Receiver Antonio Brown knows that so he made it a point to test Burns in OTAs.

He matched up with Burns and in those isolated matchups, Brown went 1-for-2 with both players making their plays. On a goal-line matchup, Brown hit Burns with a double-move for a touchdown. Then later, on a deep ball, Burns showed his recovery speed and broke the pass up.

Burns wasn’t overwhelmed by covering the NFL’s best receiver, telling ESPN, “You can’t panic. You always have to stay cool no matter what situation you’re in. He came up on me fast. I just have to trust my eyes, trust my training. To be out here covering him, it helps my level of game rise up.”

And as for the speed of the NFL game, he said, “I’m getting adjusted to it. Now I’m learning technique, getting the scheme down, and now I have to master my craft.”

If he does, the Steelers could be on their way!

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