Pittsburgh Steelers: Final 7-round 2018 mock draft

On the surface, running back shouldn’t be a need for the Steelers. They currently have one of the league’s best sitting atop their depth chart heading into 2018. The problem, though, is Le’Veon Bell’s contract situation, which could lead to his premature departure.

If that ends up being the case, the Steelers could need a new plan at running back in the near future. They currently have James Conner, who has the potential to be a capable starter, but would be better suited in a committee. That’s where an exciting newcomer like John Kelly could come into play for Pittsburgh.

One of the 2018 class’ more underrated talents, Kelly has the makings of a steal. Teams are wary of him due to his unspectacular size (5-9, 205 pounds) and lack of straight-line speed, but the film shows a talented running back who wins with vision, short-area burst and patience. His open-field instincts and ability to find running lanes make him a potential dynamo at the next level.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying Kelly will surprise folks the way Alvin Kamara did in 2017. However, based on what we saw during his days at Tennessee, it’s easy to imagine Kelly developing into a potential starter in the NFL. Sounds like quite the bargain for a third-round pick.