The Pittsburgh Steelers have too many running backs and not enough roster spots to go around. Here’s why they should look to trade Jaylen Samuels as soon as possible.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are soon going to be in a bit of a dilemma; not the bad kind like they don’t have enough depth to go around. On the contrary, they have too many running backs and not enough roster spots.
Admittedly, the Steelers are currently without a star player at the position. However, their depth is better than it has been in years. Part of this is due to the investments Pittsburgh has made in the position. Though Kevin Colbert hasn’t spent as much as a second-round draft choice on a running back since Le’Veon Bell back in 2013, the team is currently loaded with backs who were anywhere from 3rd to 5th round draft choices in recent years.
Sorting Steelers depth at RB
To nobody’s surprise, James Conner sits atop the depth chart as the lead back for the Steelers. Behind him, Benny Snell is the carbon-copy of Conner who will look to take a second-year leap. Snell still has three years remaining on his rookie deal and reportedly looks slimmer and faster than he did as a rookie in 2019.
The Steelers drafted speedster running back Anthony McFarland this past April. Though he hasn’t got the chance to showcase his ability on the field, there is zero chance the Steelers would try to stash him on the practice squad as their fourth-round pick was one of the fastest backs in the 2020 NFL Draft.
I recently wrote an article on why a player like Wendell Smallwood or Trey Edmunds could make the team due to their proven special teams ability. If this were to be the case or if the Steelers just wanted to keep three running backs, Jaylen Samuels would be the odd man out.
Why Steelers should trade Samuels right away
It’s not that Samuels was a bad draft choice. Though he has been inconsistent on the ground, the former college tight end has caught 73 of 86 passes for nearly 7.0 yards per catch to begin his career.
Unfortunately, even if Samuels is able to crack Pittsburgh’s final roster, he probably won’t see the field much this year. Conner, Snell, and McFarland will all prove to be more effective on the ground and between the tackles. Though Samuels is good in the passing game, so is Conner and the former Pro Bowler is the best of the group in pass protection.
For these reasons, the Steelers should look to find a trade partner for Samuels right away. Pittsburgh has done this in the past when they’ve had a surplus at a given position. It’s not uncommon to see teams trade a depth player at one position for depth in another.
Though Samuels certainly won’t demand a big haul, trading for depth at another position (perhaps linebacker) or getting a 7th or conditional-round draft choice out of him is better than just letting him go. Pittsburgh did this last year when they traded quarterback Josh Dobbs to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Steelers have some difficult roster moves to make this offseason, and Jaylen Samuels will no doubt be at the center of them. If they look to trade him now, perhaps they can get something in return.