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3 players to watch during Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe

By Chris Halicke

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams enters the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams enters the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Benny Snell Jr.

The Steelers drafted Benny Snell Jr. in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Kentucky. The Steelers typically like to look for skill players in this area of the draft and taking Snell could have a big payoff.

The Steelers have not always had great luck with drafting running backs in the middle rounds (i.e. Chris Rainey). But Pittsburgh hit a home run recently with James Conner, who has now solidified himself as a legitimate NFL running back.

The Steelers also seem to have found a decent back to spell Conner in Jaylen Samuels, whom they drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. Samuels had some bright spots in 2018 and is a legitimate contender for the most touches behind Conner.

Enter Benny Snell Jr.

Snell had a very productive career at Kentucky, including second-team All American honors in 2018, where he rushed for 1,449 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a key component for a Wildcat team that shocked everyone with a 10-3 record, including a Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State, where he was named MVP.

Snell is a typical Pittsburgh running back. He’s hard-nosed, hard-working, and runs very well through contact. He could very well leap over Samuels in the depth chart before the Steelers open up the season in Foxboro. If he has a great camp and great preseason, he may even have it locked up before they leave Latrobe.

Samuels will get a good look, but Snell has higher upside over Samuels. Samuels is a good change-of-pace, but Snell has the potential to be a better runner between the tackles at the NFL level. He also would be a better option if James Conner went down with an injury.

Snell adds more legitimate depth to a position the Steelers were thin at in 2018. He will get plenty of looks in training camp.

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