3 reasons former Netflix star could help Steelers’ RB woes

Most Steelers fans felt the same disappointment when Jaylen Samuels came out onto the field.

Every time Jaylen Samuels came out onto the field, we would see him either end the play without touching the ball, or he would get the ball and at best make it back to the line of scrimmage in 2021. The Steelers already started decreasing his snap count for Anthony McFarland Jr. by the end of the season, and they signed Kalen Ballage in the offseason. This makes it seem as though he is on his way out of Pittsburgh, Yet that doesn’t mean that the other two are for sure going to make the squad as the 3rd running back.

Ballage is on a cheap deal and could easily be released. He’s been wildly inconsistent so far in his NFL career. He is also playing for his 4th team going into his 5th season, and at this point has been unable to find his niche in the league.

McFarland flashed his game-breaking speed at one point against Houston but otherwise seemed to be way too tentative and unwilling to pick a lane to run in. He seemed far too raw and at this point looks like a year or two of development away before the game doesn’t look too big for him. I would look to relegate him to the practice squad if at all possible.

Bringing in a guy who averaged 5.6 yards a carry over the course of two and a half seasons in the SEC while running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the conference doesn’t sound like a bad idea. He has the talent to beat out both Samuels and McFarland for the 3rd slot on the depth chart, and would probably compete with Benny Snell for the backup spot in his rookie season. He has adequate speed and can break tackles here and there, but his patience in letting his blocking develop is his real weapon. With a re-tooled offensive line, he could be the perfect change of pace for the Steelers behind whichever big strong back they might select early in the 2021 draft.