Steelers RB Benny Snell could make a leap in his second season

Steelers running back Benny Snell was surprisingly involved in the offense often as a rookie. Here’s why he could be in for a big second season.

It’s hard to expect a 21-year old fourth-round picks to step in and contribute from the gate for a football team. But that’s exactly what Benny Snell was asked to do for the Steelers in 2019. Pittsburgh was without James Conner and Jalen Samuels combined to miss 8 games this year, and it was Snell who was often asked to carry the load.

However, it wasn’t exactly easy sledding on the ground for the young Kentucky product. Though Snell broke free for a 23-yard carry on his first run as a pro, he had many touches that didn’t go as planned. In fact, Snell failed to rush for more than 2.6 yards per carry in 6 different games last season.

Obviously, not all of this is his fault. The offensive line took a step back last season, and he certainly wasn’t aided by stellar quarterback play to alleviate pressure off the run game. According to Next Gen Stats, Snell was second in the league percentage of runs that included 8 or more defenders in the box. Nearly 40 percent of his runs were against stacked boxes.

Even though Snell averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in 2019, there is plenty of reason to think that the young running back could make a major leap forward in year two.

For starters, Ben Roethlisberger will return to the lineup. His ability to move the ball through the air will take defenders away from the box much more often, and allow more running lanes in the ground. Though the offensive line will be another year older, they won’t be asked to do as much. The threat of a competent quarterback means there will be fewer defenders blitzing and crowding the line of scrimmage.

Snell’s youth is another reason why he will improve in 2020. We have seen patterns of very young running backs and their leap from year one to year two. Take Le’Veon Bell for instance. As a 21-year old coming out of Michigan State, he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry as a rookie. After another offseason of NFL conditioning, Bell had trimmed down and looked like a quicker more elusive player.

Though Benny Snell and Le’Veon Bell certainly aren’t the same prospects coming out of school, they were both heavy backs in college who were asked to carry the load.

After three straight seasons of injuries to James Conner, the Steelers can no longer trust the former 2018 Pro Bowler to stay on the field. Snell started to prove himself last season, and he will have a chance to compete with Conner in 2020. I think we may see an improved Benny Snell next season.