Steelers Running Back Hopes Improve With 2015 Senior Bowl

The Steelers have an amazing running back with the young stud, Le’Veon Bell. A healthy Bell will pay huge dividends for the Steelers offense for years to come.

Trouble is they struggle with depth at that position.

The team hasn’t been able to solidify a true “backup” back. 2013’s running back by committee was a train wreck until Bell fully recovered from his injury. It was painfully obvious that Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, Felix Jones, and LaRod Stephens-Howling were not the long term solution the Steelers needed.

2014 proved even worse. LeGarrette Blount walked himself right off of this team after walking off the field and his teammates in the middle of a game. While the general consensus from players and fans that this was a blessing, the Steelers did not have a backup plan for that situation. Ben Tate‘s signing? – It’s what I equate to peeing in the wind.

The Steelers hopes at finding a running back to back up Bell improved after watching the Senior Bowl on Saturday. There were several backs that stood out who the Steelers could select in this year’s draft without using a costly early round pick.

Jan 20, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska (28) carries the football during North squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Abdullah had a very impressive afternoon. He gained 73 yards on the ground and snagged four more catches that rose his all purpose yards to 113. Abdullah was named the 2015 Senior Bowl MVP and capped a very impressive week or practices with this performance on Saturday.

Abdullah’s performance will be enough to raise his stock in the draft. He might be a shoe in for the second round, which is just too early for the Steelers to use a precious draft pick to address Bell’s backup. Abdullah is a back who is sure to mix up the field, however, no matter who selects him.

Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back

David Johnson

of Northern Iowa (7) pulls away from outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin of Louisville (94) after a pass reception during Senior Bowl South squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Johnson, while not as flashy as Abdullah’s performance on Saturday, had the most impressive one for running backs. Size, agility, and great hands were a huge mismatch against defenders. That’s something you can expect every Sunday from Johnson. His 19 yard touchdown reception showed off how good his vision and raw agility really are.

That romp certainly turned a few coaching and scout heads.

If the Steelers are looking for a true backup to Bell and not a back who would compliment his skill set in other ways, then Johnson is as close as they are going to get. Johnson’s ability to participate in the passing game makes him a rather good match for what Bell is asked to do in offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s schemes.

Johnson is projected to go in rounds 4-6 in this year’s draft. With at lest 10 other backs on the board who are projected ahead of him, I could certainly see Johnson falling to rounds 5 or 6 – exactly where the Steelers could nab him.

He would be a very solid pick and would be easily inserted into this offense if he can get up to NFL speed. Johnson was also impressive with his ability to return kicks – something the Steelers could use quite a bit of help on as well.

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back David Cobb of Minnesota (37) carries against the South squad during the third quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North squad defeated the South squad 34-13. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

David Cobb, University of Minnesota

Cobb had a solid day at the Senior Bowl averaging 6.3 yards on 11 carries. His longest run went for 25 and he had a touchdown to add to the stat line. Cobb works incredibly hard and fights for all of his yards – something that you want in a back late in the 2nd half wearing down defenses. It’s a shame he is not faster (4.61 40 time) or else he could go much earlier in the draft.

That’s actually a good thing for the Steelers. Cobb is projected go in Round 5 or later. Cobb, if part of the Steelers offense would be more of a compliment to Bell that the coaching staff has tried to hard to cultivate, yet never succeeding.

I really like the prospects that come out of the University of Minnesota. They may not have the most electrifying players, but they always have players who have great attitudes, good workers, and athletes who contribute solidly to the teams the land in.

Cobb has shown that great work ethic his entire college career. He just needs that chance at the next level. If the Steelers couldn’t get Johnson, Cobb would be a solid addition to their rookie class.

Abdullah is the reach pick of these three. If was fun watching all three of these prospects. But, my two favorites right now for a late round selection are Johnson and Cobb. It would be exciting to see either of those two join the squad and ease tensions anxiety about who could carry the rock behind Bell.

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