The Steelers have little depth behind Najee Harris but they do not rank as one of the worst at the running back group in the AFC North.
The Steelers are just like every other franchise in the NFL when it comes to noticing the trend of running backs in today’s game. This is no longer the ground-and-pound kind of league that the NFL used to be dominated by. Now the game is all about the passing game and high-scoring offenses.
The running back position is only a part of the element of the new era of football. The position has continued to lose value over the last decade and that trend does not seem to be stopping anytime soon. Only some of the select few at the top of the position get paid a big contract after their rookie deals, and that is also becoming uncommon too.
The AFC North is still one of the toughest divisions in football and only seems to get more difficult by the season. The division is still changing with the new ways of the game, but it still has the tough physical game that fans of these four clubs have been enjoying for a long time. Running back plays a pivotal role in different offenses in this division and has created some quality or quantity in the north.
4. Ravens currently have the worst group in the AFC North division
The different groups of running backs have some nice quality players for their respective teams. Some have more quantity than quality and that is kind of where the Baltimore Ravens currently sit. Most of these players would probably do best as a committee, but they do have a cemented starter returning from injury last season.
J.K. Dobbins is the starter as he is coming back from a season-ending injury after showing a lot of promise as a rookie. The depth behind him is decent with players like Justice Hill and Gus Edwards waiting in the wings to take some snaps. Lamar Jackson is still their most electric playmaker and that is what also helped make this decision to leave them as the worst group in the division.
3. Steelers lack of depth behind Najee Harris makes them lower on the list
The Steelers might be a shocker at not being the worst group at running back in this division. The AFC North has some talented groups at the position, but Pittsburgh has a talented starter with Najee Harris. He has been a difference maker and proved himself during his rookie year despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football.
He fought his way to a Pro Bowl nomination in 2021 and that really made him stick out among this group. He could be argued as the best running back in the AFC North even though there are at least two other legit stars at his position. He has a long career ahead of him, but his rookie campaign helped prove his efforts were bountiful.
Running backs are not highly valued in the NFL, but the Steelers still decided to use their first-round pick in 2021 on Harris. It worked out well for them and started to show a glimmer of hope for the future of this running game on offense. The main issue why the black and gold are in consideration for the worst group in the division is their lack of depth.
They have the star player, but at his current rate and lack of quality depth behind him, he will have a shorter career. There are no proven quality backs behind him that have good starting experience in the NFL. Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland have not done a lot in this league and should not be the only options to make the roster behind Harris.
2. Cincinnati Bengals have one of the more well-rounded groups
The Cincinnati Bengals have now been labeled as a powerhouse in the AFC, despite only having one big season last year. They defeated the Steelers twice and went on to win the AFC, only to lose to the LA Rams in the Super Bowl. This club made significant strides in 2021 and looks to become one of the top offenses and teams in the NFL yet again.
Most people will bring up Joe Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase when they talk about the offense of these cats. That is fair as those two are the most explosive catalysts of this group. People do need to pay close attention to these running backs that they have as they are one of the best in the league.
Joe Mixon has quietly been one of the best running backs coming out of college in recent years. He slipped in the draft process after off-the-field issues but was still selected by the Bengals. He has done well on the field and created a nice career after a rocky beginning.
This veteran has been in the Pro Bowl many times and was rewarded with a sizable contract extension by Cincinnati. The depth behind him is young and has some good experience as well. Samaje Perine is a nice second back to have in your stable that can help open the passing game off play action.
1. Cleveland Browns have the best running back group in the division
The Cleveland Browns take the top spot on this ranking list as they have it all. Their position at running back has a star at their starting spot and some quality depth behind him. This running tandem has caused the Steelers and the rest of the NFL fits for the last handful of years.
It all starts with their star player, Nick Chubb as he continues to be one of the best in the NFL. The Browns rewarded him with a nice contract extension a couple of years ago because of it. This rushing attack has allowed for this team to have better opportunities in the passing game and stay competitive throughout.
Their running game is one of the best in football and that can also be attributed to the top-level play they have been getting from their offensive line. Everything has been falling into place for this club to have success on the ground and their depth makes life even easier for them. Their second-string back could probably be a starter for others in the NFL.
Kareem Hunt was seen as the next big thing at running back before he was suspended for off-the-field reasons and kicked off the Kansas City Chiefs roster. He rebounded with the Browns as an excellent second guy that comes to help clean up games. They drafted even more depth with a college star last season with Jerome Ford out of Cincinnati.
The Steelers have the third-best running back group in the AFC North division. There are some talented players that play the position in this group of four teams.