Steelers will reportedly select a running back in this year’s NFL Draft

According to a recent report, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to use one of their selections on a new running back during this year’s NFL Draft.

In the two years since Le’Veon Bell was last on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team has struggled to get much of anything going when it comes to running the ball.

In 2018, the Steelers finished with the ninth-lowest yards per carry and last season, it was even worse with the third-lowest average in the NFL. Improving their rushing attack is an absolute necessity for Pittsburgh this offseason or else their mission to get back to the playoffs is going to be that much harder in 2020.

Since the majority of the top free-agent running backs have already been taken off the market this year, the next place for the Steelers to look for help is going to be the NFL Draft in a few weeks. According to The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette on Monday, Pittsburgh is expected to use one of their draft selections on a new running back this year.

Currently, the Steelers have six running backs on their roster including James Conner, Benny Snell Jr., and Jaylen Samuels. Snell and Samuels are the only two who are under contract through 2021, so it makes sense for Pittsburgh to add a young player to this group who can potentially take over as the top guy after his first season.

If the Steelers are hoping to add an immediate upgrade to their offensive backfield this year, it’s likely going to have to be done with one of their first two selections. Pittsburgh also only has six picks this year and their first selection doesn’t come until midway through the second round, so they will have to make the most of their lack of options.

Some of the running back prospects who might still be on the board when it comes time for the Steelers to make their selection in the second round include Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Florida State’s Cam Akers, and Utah’s Zack Moss.

Pittsburgh met with both Akers and Moss at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, so keep an eye on either of these two as a possibility to land with the black and gold during the draft.

The Steelers haven’t drafted a running back in the second round or earlier since 2013 (Bell), but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this streak comes to an end in a few weeks. Pittsburgh needs to do something with their rushing attack because right now, what they have isn’t cutting it.