5 Steelers players we should be careful not to overrate

James Conner

Running backs, in general, are often overrated in the eyes of fans, and James Conner is no exception. While he may be having a very solid year from a statistical standpoint, don’t kid yourself into thinking that he’s an irreplaceable player.

Just one season ago, Conner averaged 4.0 yards per carry and had just 5 broken tackles on the season. While he’s admittedly healthier this season, he isn’t going to emerge from the depths as an All-Pro running back.

Even if he were to receive such an honor this year, we know that the running back position relies on everyone else upfront to do their jobs in order for a player like Conner to be successful. Take Cowboys running back, Ezekiel Elliott for instance. The three-time Pro Bowl and former first-team All-Pro running back is averaging just 4.1 yards per carry and 6.4 yards per catch on the season. However, the team is missing a handful of offensive linemen that clearly help contribute to his lack of success.

While I think that James Conner was a solid pick by the Steelers in 2017 and has earned his keep, he’s not an essential piece of the puzzle for Pittsburgh like some other players clearly are. I wish him the best of luck in his career, but I don’t believe he’s a player that deserves a big second contract.