Which round Steelers should target each offensive position?

Running Back

Third Round

Another position that is getting senselessly overhyped is running back. While a prospect like Najee Harris is tempting in the first, the value of taking a running back that early isn’t there. As well, there won’t be a running back prospect worth selecting in the second round unless Javonte Williams falls that far. If he doesn’t, the Steelers would be wise to target a back in the third round.

Names like Trey Sermon, Kenneth Gainwell, Jermar Jefferson, and Rhamondre Stevenson all should be there in the third and each has legitimate long-term starting value. If the team goes this route, adding a center early will be even more vital. A third-round back can succeed, but odds are they aren’t perfect. Having a line capable of opening holes will thus become key, as it will hide any issue that a running back could have.

While some argue that the Steelers need to invest in a running back early to succeed, that simply isn’t the case in the NFL anymore. Some of the top running backs were taken in the third round or later. Names like Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, James Robinson, and Kareem Hunt are some of the top backs in the league despite being picked in or after the third round. Last year, Antonio Gibson was one of the top-performing rookies even though he was selected in the third round. Running backs find success quickly in the NFL, so the Steelers should have little issue investing in one in the third if they miss out on one of the top guys.