Ranking the 8 best free agents available for the Steelers
By Andrew Falce
Duke Johnson
While the Steelers got their starting bell-cow running back in Najee Harris, they could still add a body to the depth chart to give him a capable backup. Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage are both mediocre power backs and Anthony McFarland is very unproven. As for Jaylen Samuels, the team’s best-case scenario involves him not being on the roster in 2021.
What makes Duke Johnson a great fit is his versatility. While Todd Gurley would be the better pure running back, Johnson can serve as a receiver out of the backfield. He runs sharp routes and has a great blend of speed and agility to make big plays with the ball in his hands. A Matt Canada offense could thrive with some of the gadget plays that Johnson could contribute.
No, this wouldn’t mean Harris is put into a committee, but adding Johnson as a change of pace back could keep him fresh and keep defenses guessing. The only player who could even compare to Johnson on the roster is McFarland, and he is essentially a question mark heading into his second season. Running backs haven’t been getting paid much either, so Johnson shouldn’t break the bank. If the team wants to strengthen their running back room, even more, Johnson should be their guy.