Steelers don’t need a running back in free agency or the draft

Many are mocking JK Dobbins to the Steelers. The Steelers don’t really need a running back though.

The Steelers have a lot of needs, but running back is not one of them. They have needs on the offensive side of the ball like a wide receiver, tight end, and interior offensive line. They also will have needs on the defensive side of the ball like a nose tackle, outside linebacker, cornerback and safety.

Many think the Black & Gold should move on from James Conner. He is a good feature back, but he is injury prone and still has cancer in his health history. I don’t think any of these fans don’t love Conner, they just see the practicality of a younger, cheaper running back.

I don’t think the Steelers need to replace Conner yet. I think they can roll with him as their primary back this year. He is still a former Pro Bowler and will have depth behind him. The Steelers also drafted Benny Snell Jr. as a backup. I also think Benny Snell is capable of being the primary back once Conner leaves.

The Steelers also have plenty of depth at running back. They still have Jaylen Samuels who is entering his third year. He is serviceable on special teams and can add a dimension to the offense as long as Randy Fichtner is creative with him.

Trey Edmunds is also a guy the Steelers might want to keep around in 2020. He is primarily a special teams player and the Steelers need that on their roster. Every team needs special teams players on their roster and practice squad.

The Steelers may even want to carry five running backs on their roster like they did last year. I think three or four may be ideal, but if three, four and five can be big contributors on special teams, then they will carry them all.

The fifth guy is Kerrith White Jr., who they signed off the Bears practice squad last year. He is capable of being a kick returner and a punt returner. He has already shown that he can be a good kick returner, but now he has to show that he can be a good punt returner.

He will probably be battling Ryan Switzer for the return specialist job. Oftentimes, the Steelers reserve a roster spot for return specialists. The Black & Gold might also add another returner to the mix.

Diontae Johnson also throws a wrench in things as he is return capable and has taken a punt back for a touchdown in 2019. The Steelers may want him to focus on offense though.

We can see that Pittsburgh already has a lot of depth at running back and probably don’t need to add another to the mix. Obviously, you draft the best player available, but you also should consider need when determining where to go with draft picks.