5 running backs who could replace James Conner for the Steelers in 2021
Kenyan Drake
The next free agent out there that could help the Steelers running game could be Kenyan Drake, the running for the Arizona Cardinals.
Drake 6’1”, 211 pounds started his career with the Miami Dolphins. Drake was not having a stellar career in Miami and over three and a half seasons had 1523 rushing yards or about 507 yards a season. Arizona saw his potential, and they had to make a deal due to the injuries they sustained in the 2019 season. So they gave Miami a conditional 6th round draft choice and got Kenyan Drake.
Certainly, the move proved beneficial for Drake. In two years with Arizona, he has rushed for 1491 yards 32 less than he rushed for Miami in three and a half years. With the Cardinals, he has averaged 745.5 yards a season, and 2020 is not over. Definitely, he has the potential to give the Steelers the same type of production as well. Also, the chances of him resigning with the Cardinals was slim at best, and they knew that when they made the trade for him and only gave up a 6th round choice. Especially since Chase Edmonds will still be under contract for the Cardinals, he was a short-term solution to the Cardinals’ immediate rushing problems. He could also be a short term solution for the Steelers as well; if they signed him for, say, four years, that would give them the time to draft a running back in 2022 or 2023.
Like Aaron Jones signing, Drake could be the problematic part. It largely depends on what he asks for in a contract. That said, whereas Jones might ask for a four-year deal worth $50 million, Drake could be in the four years $25 million range. That makes the Steelers signing him a lot more likely than trying to sign Aaron Jones. About $5-6 million a season fits their budget more than $13 million-plus a season.
Drake has the playmaking ability to open up the Steelers rushing game, especially since he has rushed for more first downs than Jones, 51, only 16 less than the whole steelers team has rushed for. Plus, he still has three games left. Fans should consider Drake as a long term solution, but if they can sign him, he can stabilize their rushing game for two or three seasons, which would be long enough to find a rookie replacement. Drake is the type of back who could bring a lot of excitement to the Steelers’ backfield.