4 Steelers that need to see less playing time going forward

Jaylen Samuels

Jaylen Samuels is barely worth a roster spot let alone a spot on the field. As a runner, he lacks explosion and power, leading to consistently mediocre runs. While deemed a “receiving back” he struggles to do anything after the catch, once again making him a lackluster option. Despite only playing 33 snaps on offense, that is far too many, and his snaps need to be dispensed between the three more talented options ahead of him.

Samuels’s role could easily be split between James Conner and Anthony McFarland. For blocking assignments or designed routes, Conner has proven to be a capable option. His hands are solid, and he can get some yards after the catch. As for when they bring Samuels in as a change of pace option, McFarland has flashed speed and agility, making him a far better candidate for that role. There isn’t a time when Samuels would be the best option to be in the backfield, so despite the limited snap count, it should be zero going forward unless there is an injury.

With the recent success from the other backups, Samuels has become a non-essential player for the Steelers. Every other running back on the roster has more talent than he does, so giving him snaps over anyone else makes little sense. His snaps would be far better if given to McFarland, Conner, or even Benny Snell.