Despite the upgrades that the Steelers made at running back, adding a better backup up could go a long way in re-establishing this running game.
The Steelers went all-in on rebuilding their lacking run game this offseason. They drafted Najee Harris in the first round while also adding pieces to the line and at tight end to aid in blocking. While their hunt for a starting back is over, the team could still upgrade their depth chart at the position. Benny Snell, Kalen Ballage, and Anthony McFarland are all fine players in some regard, but none of them should be counted on long term.
Why the Steelers should add to this group
On paper, the Steelers don’t need a top backup running back. Harris will take over as the bell cow back, making the need for a dynamic backup less important. That said, running backs are a position that deals with injuries regularly due to the physical toll it takes on the player. As well, the team is set to field an elderly Ben Roethlisberger this season.
Big Ben can’t be relied on to throw forty times every game anymore. Having a capable stable of running backs could take the pressure off of the passing game. With all of that said, here are five free-agent running backs the Steelers should add before camp. Here are five names Pittsburgh should target at the running back position:
D’Onta Foreman
D’Onta Foreman came into the NFL with a lot of hype. The big back from Texas boasted great college production, good athleticism for his size, and starting potential down the road. Unfortunately, injuries kept him off the field and he quickly fell out of favor with the Texans, and he has since bounced around the league. He surfaced as the backup with the Titans last season, and despite a limited workload, he looked decent.
In terms of being an upgrade over what the team currently has, he isn’t much of one. That said, he has the potential to become a decent backup if given the proper chance. Considering he would likely be signed for the minimum contract; he wouldn’t cost the team much. In turn, a three-way battle for the backup spot could ensue. This will get the best out of everybody and ensure whoever is the backup is the best of the three options. He isn’t high profile, but he would be a worthy addition to the roster.
Ito Smith
Frankly, this is a name that seems surprising to be on the free-agent market. Ito Smith is the prototypical backup running back. While he isn’t an elite player, he has found a decent amount of success serving as the primary backup for the Falcons over the past few years. He has decent speed and hands as demonstrated by his consistent use as a rotational player with the Falcons.
Though Snell and Ballage would both be better power options, Smith would be well suited to be a change of pace/speed back. This would more contend with McFarland since he is currently slated to take on that role. Considering the fact that Harris is a power back as well, getting a capable change of pace option on the cheap could make this backfield even more dynamic.
With Harris taking on the role of lead option, Smith would be a natural complement to his style of play. He could be counted on for 5-10 touches a game as a reserve which in turn should keep Harris fresh. While either Snell or Ballage would likely keep their role as a short-yardage option, Smith is a better all-around backup. The Steelers could use him to switch up their offense while still giving Harris the majority of carries from the backfield. Again, he isn’t an incredible talent, but he is a perfectly fine backup that is deserving of a few touches each game.
Chris Thompson
If the Steelers want to get really unique with their backups, going after a better receiving back would be a good place to start. While Harris’s receiving skills have been highly touted, a back like Chris Thompson has made a living out of catching passes out of the backfield. He would in no way challenge Harris for the third-down duty, but he could be an upgrade during high-tempo situations such as a two-minute drill.
The Steelers have shown a desire to have a pass-catching back on the field during those scenarios as evident by the heavy usage of Jaylen Samuels when the team runs a more hurry-up-based offense. He seems like a long shot to actually make the roster though given his lack of production, so adding a more dynamic threat to catch passes out of the backfield would make sense. To his credit, Thompson has lasted so long in this league because of his potent hands. In fact, he has nearly 800 more receiving yards for his career than he has rushing yards.
His role with the Steelers would be as a third-down back in hurry-up offensive drives. There, he can function as a safety net for the quarterback and continue to add to his impressive receiving resume. As well, the team could even use him as a receiver in some packages if they wanted to get multiple running backs on the field. His age is a concern as he is over the thirty years old mark but considering his light usage over his career his age isn’t the end of the world. He would add another dynamic to this backfield though, and on a minimum deal, he would be worth the addition.
Todd Gurley
If the Steelers really wanted to transform their offense into a run-heavy scheme, adding Todd Gurley would be a coup. While injures are his primary concern, he wouldn’t be asked to be the lead back. In most games, he probably wouldn’t touch the ball more than ten times. Meanwhile, he would easily be the best back on the roster besides Harris. The team could transition into a more run-heavy one that can still throw to one of the myriad of receivers that the team has.
Gurley is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro last year, and a lot of that was due to the Falcons as a whole struggling on offense. This should keep his overall cost down, although he will likely want more than the minimum. The real issue would be that he wouldn’t be the starting back if he signed with the Steelers. While in most cases that would keep him away from the team, a lighter load could go a long way for him considering how injury-prone he has proven to be.
Though he will likely wait until training camp injuries begin piling up to sign a deal, the Steelers wouldn’t be a bad fit for him if he was willing to play for cheap. He has a nose for the end zone as well, meaning he could step in as the goal-line back as well as functioning as a rotational lead back on some drives. His name is the least likely on this list given the fact that Harris is set to lead the way for the team, but if the Steelers really wanted to commit to having a better rushing attack, adding a capable player like Gurley makes a lot of sense.
Duke Johnson
Of all the names floating around the free agency market, Duke Johnson is easily the most appealing for a team like the Steelers. He is one of the premier receiving backs in the league while also having the speed and agility to serve as a traditional running back. Teams have always seemed to struggle to use him, as he isn’t a back that can be counted on to rush for 1000 yards a season. But in a high tempo offense, he can serve as the change of pace backup and third-down back.
Johnson was released by the Texans this past season despite having one of his best seasons as a pro just a season before. The issue is, they traded David Johnson last season, and considering what it cost to obtain him, they will continue to roll with him as the every-down back. Johnson still could have had a role with the team, but he was scheduled to make more than they deemed worth, so he was released. That shouldn’t stop a team like the Steelers from scooping him up though.
His role would be a more expansive version of what Thompson would be if he were signed. He would rotate in as the change of pace back and serve as a primary receiving threat for the offense. Given his speed, don’t be surprised if he also got work on some end-around and trick plays that Matt Canada used back when he coached college. Overall, he would add a completely new element to this offense and would be worth signing assuming his contract demands weren’t insane.
While the Steelers have a new starting running back and a couple of fine but not great backup options, adding another free agent running back could be in the cards. Doing so would improve the overall depth chart and, depending on the player, add a few extra wrinkles to the offense. With training camp getting ever closer, each of these names will be looking for a team to join sooner rather than later.