Ranking the Steelers current options at backup running back

1. Steelers Anthony McFarland

While I wasn’t initially sure of who to put at this top spot (and that may be more indicative of the issue the team has at backup running back), Anthony McFarland is the best choice. This isn’t due to him having the best stats to his name right now, but more so due to the unique skill set that he brings to this offense that the other options are lacking: speed.

Speed was the reason McFarland got drafted last year, and given the lack of athleticism in this backfield, getting a home run on the field to complement the more powerful Harris makes the most sense. Granted, the job won’t be handed to him, especially after a rookie season where he struggled to hit the hole and seemed to trip over himself. Ideally, he builds off his positive traits and can establish himself as the top backup behind Harris.

As well, Matt Canada’s offense is well suited for a player like McFarland, as the jet-sweeps and end-arounds that he typically calls are ideal calls for a speed back. Again, this doesn’t mean McFarland has nothing to prove during camp, as he needs to show that he has improved the basics that he struggled with in his rookie season. If he can do that though, his speed and athleticism make him the best option to backup Harris.

While each of these options, save Samuels, has some positive traits, none are slam dunks to be quality backups. Perhaps this means a free agent should be brought in to be the backup? Assuming the team doesn’t go the veteran route though, McFarland is the best option to be the backup followed closely behind by Ballage. They both are unique enough to offer something that Harris doesn’t. All that said, this group has a long way to go before camp opens.