Steelers could shock you with which running backs make the roster in 2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers could very well keep an extra running back this year, but it likely won’t be the player everyone is expecting them to.

Like any other team in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers have certain roster trends they typically stick to year after year. They are a team that usually rosters three quarterbacks, and they almost always carry six wide receivers. When it comes to the running back position, Pittsburgh typically rosters three, in addition to a fullback.

This year, Pittsburgh could break a trend by carrying an extra running back on their active roster. However, it may not be the one everybody is predicting.

The Steelers have spent a draft choice on a running back each of the past four seasons. James Conner was selected with a compensatory third-round pick back in 2017, and Jaylen Samuels was a former college tight end convert in 2018. In 2019, Pittsburgh took Benny Snell in the fourth round, and this past April, they spent a fourth-round draft choice on speedster, Anthony McFarland.

Steelers RB roster locks this year

Obviously, James Conner isn’t going anywhere as the Steelers lead back, and Anthony McFarland isn’t going to be cut without ever seeing the football field – especially with his rare speed.

Benny Snell was decent as a rookie, but Conner told the media that Snell looks slim, fast, and in shape this year. With his powerful frame and ability to run between the tackles, Snell will get plenty of work this year and be an insurance policy in case Conner goes down again. In addition, Snell turned just 22 years old this offseason and has three years remaining on his rookie deal.

Could Steelers keep a special teams player over proven RB?

This brings us to third-year running back, Jaylen Samuels. Through his first two seasons in the league, Samuels has averaged just 3.5 yards per carry out of the backfield. But while he may be a modest runner, his ability in the passing game makes him an asset. Since joining the Steelers, Samuels has caught 73 of 86 targets for nearly 7.0 yards per catch to go with 4 receiving touchdowns.

But despite this production in the passing game, Samuels is in jeopardy of getting the boot this year.

Mike Tomlin places a high value on special teams. With three running backs already in line to share a bulk of the work with Conner, Snell, and McFarland, it’s entirely possible (maybe even likely) that Tomlin will value a quality special teams player over a fourth running back who could contribute on offense.

Two of the players in contention of grabbing this last running back spot are Trey Edmunds and Wendell Smallwood. Edmunds has been a member of the Steelers for the past two seasons, and while he has touched the ball on offense just 28 times, he’s known for his special teams ability.

Smallwood may have the best chance at cracking the fourth running back spot. As a former member of the Eagles and Redskins, the fifth-year running back has been used more on both offense and special teams than Samuels or Edmunds. In addition, if Pittsburgh needs him in a pinch on offense, Smallwood has earned a respectable 4.0 yards per carry in his career to go with an impressive 8.1 yards per reception, according to Pro Football Reference.

With no preseason games to see these running backs in action, Pittsburgh is just weeks away from making their decision about which running backs to keep this year. Their choice could prove to be a surprise to Steelers fans.