Steelers Draft: Kenyan Drake

In 2015, the Steelers were happy to have DeAngelo Williams on the roster to replace an injured Le’Veon Bell, but with Williams turning 33 this month the Steelers should be looking for running back depth in the draft.

It’s true that defensive help should be a priority for the Steelers in the upcoming NFL draft. Playmakers are needed in the secondary and there is a hole in the middle of an otherwise talented defensive line. That being said, a talented runner on the second or third day could go along way to help the team’s offensive success.

Kenyan Drake is a player that the Steelers need to look at on day two or three of the draft. While Drake has first round talent, his playing career at Alabama was limited by injury. When he was on the field, number 17 for the Crimson Tide was a game changer.

An upright runner with good vision, excellent speed, and above average receiving skills, Drake can score up the middle, on screens, or by getting behind the secondary.

Drake certainly uses his lateral quickness to elude tacklers, but wastes no time in accelerating north–a trait Steelers fans have become used to seeing from Bell. Drake’s acceleration is elite. His ability to turn a corner on the defense gave defensive coaches headaches at the collegiate level.

Drake is faster than the linebackers tasked with covering him and uses his size and acceleration to overwhelm defensive backs. He has good balance and keeps moving forward through and after contact.

Drake has had an injury history through his Alabama career, and that will limit his draft position. For this reason, the Steelers should take a chance on the runner if he falls to the third or fourth round–he might not. While the injuries do raise a concern, Drake will enter the NFL relatively fresh, enduring less than 300 touches over four years (Le’Veon Bell has had 799 touches in three years with the Steelers).

The major injury that Drake suffered was a graphic ankle/leg injury against Ole Miss in 2014. The injury occurred when Drake cut up field on a screen and was tackled low from one side and high from the other. To me, it was a freak injury that doesn’t indicate that Drake is injury-prone.

Drake’s size/speed ratio is extremely appealing to a creative offense, as is his versatility. The Steelers would not have to make any adjustments to their offensive mentality if Drake were to enter the game in relief of Bell. His pass blocking needs to be improved, but if he is dedicated to improving it, his size and quickness will help.

One of the things that makes Bell so successful is that he can attack a defense in a variety of ways. Bell is a threat to score on a halfback dive, a direct snap, a delayed screen, a draw, or from the slot. Drake brings a similar threat.

There are some risks involving Drake, and his game is not perfect. However, the Steelers need to provide some insurance for Bell, and Drake’s skill set would allow the Steelers to continue to exploit defenses in a variety of ways in Bell’s absence.

The Steelers might not have a chance to take Drake in the third or fourth if another team is too eager for the playmaker, but if he is available, I hope that Todd Haley will be clamoring to have him in Black and Gold.