3 reasons Steelers should make Anthony McFarland their starting running back

All other options for Steelers have been subpar

The biggest reason why the Steelers should give rookie Anthony McFarland a chance to start is that all other running backs have been subpar. James Conner isn’t the only player in the backfield that has disappointed at times this season (at least he had several good games). Benny Snell has been flat-out awful since Week 1 against the New York Giants.

In his last 8 games, Snell has carried the ball 31 times for merely 67 yards (2.1 yards per carry). Despite seeing significantly more touches than Anthony McFarland has seen all year, Snell has been much worse with the ball in his hands this year. Though he’s got an ideal build for the running back position, his lack of speed and explosion is evident nearly every time he touches the pigskin.

Additionally, Jaylen Samuels has only carried the ball three 3 times this year for 8 yards, but he doesn’t have much business even being on the roster. Samuels has seen 56 offensive snaps this year and has done next to nothing with them.

With the same amount of opportunity as a player like Benny Snell or dare I say, James Conner, I think Anthony McFarland could do more with his touches.

Obviously, if McFarland ends up struggling, the Steelers can revert back to their old plan of attack. However, with the way things have been going on the ground for Pittsburgh, the coaching staff may want to give Anthony McFarland a chance to start at running back.