Here are the four reasons the Steelers can wait until day three to draft a running back.
While much of the Steelers’ pre-draft speculation has been about a potential high round pick at running back, it is becoming increasingly likely that the team may opt to wait longer than most fans expect. While running back is certainly a need, there are quite a few arguments that could be made as to why the team can and should wait on taking a running back until the third day. Here are the four reasons the Steelers could wait on drafting a running back until day three of the draft.
The current stable of backs
While this may be an unpopular opinion, I think the Steelers like Benny Snell a lot as a runner. While he lacks true explosiveness, Snell is a gritty, hard-nosed runner that fits the style of back that the team prefers to use. As well, the team seems confident in him as a reserve, giving him the majority of the snaps when he was given the chance to start. While it may not be the best-case scenario, the team could opt to try to build the running game around him.
As well, the team still has Anthony McFarland Jr. on the roster, and while his rookie season wasn’t anything special, he looks like a good fit in what should be a new offense. Matt Canada was a fan of using jet sweeps and speedier backs when running offenses, and McFarland certainly fits that bill better than Snell. The team could opt to try a “lighting and thunder” approach with the two in 2021. If that is their plan, then investing in a running back early may not be in the cards.
Needs elsewhere
While there is an obvious hole at running back this offseason, that certainly won’t be the only area of issue for the Steelers this year. With an offensive line that needs to be built back up, questions at tight end, and a defense that is set to lose some key starters and depth pieces, the team will have to make some tough choices to fill needs. While running back does need a new face to the group, other positions may be more pressing.
Running backs are important players obviously, but the team could opt to build this team elsewhere before adding a new running back. As stated above, the Steelers could rely more on Snell as a bell cow and use McFarland as Canada used him at Maryland. In turn, the team could invest their day one and two resources in the draft to making a more complete team.
With the number of holes, this team will need to fill, holding off on drafting a running back could go a long way in rebuilding the other areas of this team. While this would leave the running back room with more of a band-aid than a true solution, it could allow for other needs to be met instead. While not ideal, drafting other positions early and rolling with what we have at running back could still build a better overall team.
A slew of talent in the draft
While the class isn’t particularly top-heavy, the running back class for 2021 seems to be full of options bursting with talent in the later rounds. While the top names like Najee Harris and Travis Etienne have dominated Steelers related draft coverage, there are plenty of quality players that could be had in the fourth round. While they may not be as complete of a player, they would still be valuable additions to this running back group.
According to the Draft Network, options like Trey Sermon, Chuba Hubbard, and Kylin Hill should all be available when once day three of the draft starts. While none of those guys will likely be starters from day one, they all could serve some sort of a role for the team. Again, they each have their own faults as complete players, but in a committee with Snell and McFarland could work well enough for the team next year.
With Snell being the more traditional power back while McFarland serves as the change of pace option, adding a back like say Hill to be a receiving back could give the Steelers a complete committee. Again, it doesn’t mean the team will have their do-it-all bell cow, but they could utilize the committee backfield for a year in order to build their roster elsewhere. This class is deep, so there should still be some good talent available once day three starts.
Build the line first
While the idea of adding a top running back sounds like an easy fix for this offense, the unfortunate reality is that this team’s line needs a massive overhaul before a running game can get reestablished. It doesn’t matter what back is back there if the Steelers line blocks like it did last year. With little push upfront, any running back brought in will experience the struggles that the team’s backs suffered through this season.
With only three picks between days one and two, it would make more sense to get at least one, and possibly two, lineman as opposed to grabbing a running back. Perhaps a new center to take over for Maurkice Pouncey or a developmental tackle to push the two returning starters could be added. Even getting a tight end like Pat Freiermuth that has the size to contribute as a blocker could aid in any running back improving upon the unit’s dismal production from last season.
At the end of the day, all of this goes back to teams need to build up their overall roster, not just adding a running back. In all honesty, the Steelers should be targeting offensive line, tight end, and even defensive back before considering going for a running back. That doesn’t mean the team can afford to just bank on their current backs to produce, but by building a better overall team, the running backs should also have a chance to improve.
At the end of the day, the Steelers’ need for a running back is valid, but it doesn’t mean they have to invest an early pick in one. With the number of holes that this team will have soon, adding pieces to different areas could go a lot further than by just simply selecting a running back early. More than likely, the team can afford to wait until the fourth round or later and instead use their early picks elsewhere.