A new bombshell article from Bleacher Report has the Steelers getting aggressive in free agency. Arthur Smith's offense is only successful if he can produce a healthy rushing attack. They must find an upgrade in free agency or the draft. This offseason includes a loaded draft class and some quality choices in free agency. Najee Harris could find a home elsewhere.
According to this article, don't be shocked if Pittsburgh's linked to free agents at the position. They expect the Steelers to express interest in every top running back who makes it to the market. With a hole at the starting spot next to Jaylen Warren, there are reasons to believe they could invest some cap space into the position.
J.K. Dobbins, LA Chargers
The report doesn't list the Steelers as the ideal spot for J.K. Dobbins, but they could be in the running.
Dobbins had an incredible season with the LA Chargers and could have a solid market once free agency starts. Teams who call about signing Dobbins should be concerned about his durability issues. Injuries have consistently caused him to lose time in the NFL. Talent never steered a team from showing interest in this pending free agent.
Mike Tomlin takes notice of AFC North rivals and who they employ. Dobbins didn't play much with Baltimore because of injuries. Adding Dobbins would provide a solid top option at running back and someone who could platoon with Warren. He would be a solid gamble if his contract projection of two years for around four million annually is correct.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers should consider their offseason a failure if Harris returns as the starter.
He isn't an ideal landing spot with the Steelers, but Harris remains linked to Pittsburgh. Once his fifth-year option was declined, everyone thought it would be his final year rocking The Black and Gold. While it seems unlikely for the two parties to rejoin, don't rule it out if Harris struggles to find a hefty contract in free agency.
It's still not in their best interest, even if Harris was available at a bargain deal. They need speed at the running back position, and Harris doesn't provide that. He cannot add the same explosive threat as Saquon Barkley does. With a good crop of prospects in the draft, you should take his replacement there.
READ MORE: Dissecting Steelers' best free agent options at biggest positional needs
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
While the article believes Aaron Jones's best move is to re-sign with Minnesota, they mentioned Pittsburgh. The former long-time Green Bay Packer signed with the Vikings in free agency last year. He was paid handsomely despite the contract only lasting a season. He is over 30 years old, which makes it less likely the Steelers would express interest.
Even though Jones is starting to head out of his prime, he still produced a 1,500 all-purpose yard campaign. His production hasn't slowed, so his consistency could intrigue the Steelers in a mentor-type role. If they add a rookie in the draft and sign Jones to a one-year deal for cheap, many fans could get behind this addition.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
If Harris leaves in free agency and the Steelers want to pay someone, then Javonte Williams makes sense.
Pittsburgh showed plenty of pre-draft interest in Williams, and it continues to make sense as a landing spot. Money and the duration of the contract could be the tricky part. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During that time, injuries and other factors have caused his career to go stale.
All signs point to him leaving Denver once he hits free agency. He would be one of the youngest running backs on the market. Depending on his price, it could be a wise choice for the Steelers to sign Williams. The first-time free agent was labeled as an ideal landing spot with Pittsburgh, and the connections make it a possibility.