Despite efforts to improve their rushing attack in 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell short. Over the past two seasons, the Steelers spent two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick on the offensive line. Last year, they signed run-first offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Sadly, things only got worse on the ground. The Steelers finished as the least efficient team in the league on first downs while their rushing efficiency finished near the bottom of the league. Now Najee Harris is an unrestricted free agent, and the running back room is expected to look different in 2025.
The Steelers are in need of a spark, and they get it in the latest mock draft. Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team has Pittsburgh using the 21st overall selection on superstar running back Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State standout is one of the most productive running backs in college football history and many view him as one of the best players in the class.
In three college seasons, Jeanty carried the ball a whopping 750 times for 4,769 yards and 50 rushing touchdowns while chipping in 80 receptions for 862 yards and six receiving scores. He's the epitome of a workhorse running back.
But spending a first-round pick on a running back might not be something this Steelers front office is willing to do.
Steelers front office could ignore RB in Round 1
The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers selected a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft, it proved to be a disappointing selection. In 2021, Mike Tomlin and former general manager Kevin Colbert rushed to turn their card in for Alamba's Najee Harris.
Four years later, Harris showed to be nothing more than a durable back with limited explosive play ability who did not increase the team's rushing efficiency. It wasn't that he was a bad football player; it was that he wasn't worthy of being selected in the first round. Pittsburgh opted for a quick fix in the running game that didn't pan out.
READ MORE: Steelers' bargain bin options to replace Najee Harris in Free Agency
Some front offices believe running backs shouldn't be selected with elite draft capital. Of course, there are (and should be) expectations to this line of thought. In the right situation, Ashton Jeanty could give a team on the cusp of a Super Bowl run a significant boost.
However, the Steelers may not be on board with this.
New front office heads Omar Khan and Andy Weidl value trench players, and the Steelers have no shortage of roster needs. Can they justify taking a running back over a wide receiver or defensive tackle—even if it's a prospect like Jeanty?
We assume Pittsburgh will do their do-diligence in the event that the phenomenal running back prospect is still on the board when they are on the clock, but I wouldn't expect the Steelers to go this direction with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.