At the risk of steering comparisons to former Steelers cornerback Ricardo Colclough, CB Artie Burns should start the season as the kick returner. Coming into camp the opportunity was open, and according to Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review Burns has been one of the usual suspects returning kicks in camp.

Coming into camp the opportunity was open, and, according to Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review, Burns has been one of the usual suspects returning kicks in camp.

Kaboly wrote:

“First-round pick Artie Burns returned kickoffs with the usual group of Levi Norwood, Daryl Richardson, Tucker, and others.”

With Norwood and Richardson being the two names to highlight, Burns will be able to win that job. Norwood has an outside shot of making the team and when Le’Veon Bell returns from suspension but Richardson would more than likely be the name on the chopping block.

The buzz out of camp is that Burns is unlikely to earn a starting spot entering the season. By returning kicks he is now at least on the field, under the lights, and having to make football decisions with all of the surrounding factors.

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The NFL made a rule change this season that will move touchbacks to the 25-yard line. They did it in an effort to increase touchbacks, but some have speculated it may decrease them with the attempt to tackle the returner shy of the 25. Last season the Steelers returned the ball a total of 29 times for 701 yards. Whether that number will increase or decrease, Burns will still be making the decision and reading blockers. Add in a track background and there is no reason not to do it.

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The Steelers drafted Burns for what he can be more than what he is and that is fine. However, if he is hurdling tacklers on the way to the end zone for a game-changing touchdown next year, wouldn’t it make the pick that much sweeter?