Way-too-early Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster prediction

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 12: Anthony McFarland Jr. #5 of the Maryland Terrapins rushes the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 12, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Running backs: 5

James Conner

Benny Snell

Anthony McFarland (R)

Derek Watt (fullback)

Jaylen Samuels

Including the fullback position, I have the Steelers keeping five running backs in my early 2020 53-man roster prediction. In my opinion, James Conner, Benny Snell, Derek Watt, and Anthony McFarland are all locks to make the team.

Pittsburgh made Watt the highest-paid fullback in the league this offseason, and they spent 4th round picks in back-on-back years on Snell and McFarland. If they elect to stick with just three true running backs (Watt excluded), Jaylen Samuels could be the odd man out.

However, I think the Steelers love Samuels’ ability as a versatile pass-catcher from the backfield and he has proven to be a solid former 5th round draft choice. With James Conner always injured, Snell is the only other back that could carry a heavy workload. I know this goes against the trend, but I think Pittsburgh finds a way to keep all five of these guys on the roster this season.

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