4 statistical categories Steelers must improve upon in 2021

Steelers yards rushing after contact

The Steelers are a team that relies on a power back to be their lead back on offense. They want a running back that is bigger and runs through contact at the expense of breakaway speed. There is certainly nothing wrong with this philosophy, but it requires a back to be able to gain yards after contact. Unfortunately for the Steelers, this was a huge issue last season, as the running back room only netted 640 yards after contact, with James Conner and Benny Snell doing the majority of the damage there with 336 and 208 yards respectfully.

In comparison, Derrick Henry had almost 1,100 yards after contact on his own. While he is the best running back in the league, he also exemplifies the style of a back that the team wants to use. Simply put, 350 yards after contact isn’t going to cut it. According to CBS, Harris posted around 950 yards after contact last season, so there is hope that their draft investment can propel the Steelers into a better spot in this stat after his rookie season.

Frankly, this is going to be needed by any running back on the Steelers field in 2020. The offensive line has taken some considerable steps back, so whoever is running the ball will have to make the most out of very little. Harris should trend this number in the right direction. If he could be somewhere in the 500 yards after contact, he will land close to, if not in, the top ten. This will signify that the Steelers’ power rushing game is on the rebound and working. As a whole, that should improve the offense.

While the Steelers took a step back in the 2021 offseason, if the team can improve upon these four statistical categories it could mitigate the losses that were suffered. All four of them would signify a stronger offense as a whole and thus a more productive team. They have the tools and the players to do it, now it is just a matter of execution.