Top 5 biggest NFL draft needs for Steelers in 2021
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers may need to replenish the ‘stable’ of running back we currently have
Look, I really like James Conner, our 4th-year RB out of Pitt. When he’s healthy, he’s a really, really good RB. The issue with Conner for me is twofold. First, he just can’t stay healthy as evidenced by the fact that he yet to play a full slate of games in the regular season. Second, he’s a ‘thunder’ back and we probably need more of a ‘lightning’ back as our starting RB.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting we release or trade him. What I am suggesting is that we find a ‘Batman’ to compliment Conner’s ‘Robin’. Having a speedster on one side and the thunder on the other side is the way to go in terms of revitalizing a running game that was dead last in the NFL in average yards per game, according to ESPN.com.
The Steelers feckless running game may force a decision in the first round
I don’t blame Conner or any of our other RBs for the ineptitude the Steelers offense displayed with respect to the running game, but, at some point, you have to admit defeat, in a manner of speaking, and expend draft capital to select a running back who can create a hole where none exists and who has the vision to ‘bounce it outside’ coupled with speed to leave defenders in the dust.
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I think Conner can do these things, but not with the consistency that we need. For a team that has traditionally been a ‘power run’ type of team, we probably need an infusion of a young, fast RB. Drafting a running back in the first round is a huge risk, but, for the Steelers, it may be a necessary risk.