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Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Biggest needs to address in 2020 NFL Draft

By Samuel Teets

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 (C) of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits alongside Devlin Hodges (L) and Ben Roethlisberger (R) during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 (C) of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits alongside Devlin Hodges (L) and Ben Roethlisberger (R) during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Draft (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Draft (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Running back

The city of Pittsburgh loves James Conner. He played great at the University of Pittsburgh and overcame some severe personal trials before entering the NFL. However, he cannot stay healthy for a full 16 game season, and his 2018 Pro Bowl campaign looks more like an outlier than the norm. Which means the Steelers still need a franchise running back.

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Pittsburgh deployed a running back by committee system in 2019, mostly because of injuries. It failed. The Steelers rushed for 90.4 yards per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Even during Conner’s Pro Bowl season, the Steelers managed only 90.3 rushing yards per game, which ranked 31st in the league.

In Le’Veon Bell‘s final season with the team, Pittsburgh rushed for 104.2 yards per game. Except for Bell’s rookie season, the Steelers always averaged at least 100 rushing yards per contest with Bell. Now, the team needs someone who can take over long-term for the former All-Pro.

Currently, Conner, Jaylen Samuels, and Benny Snell hold the top three running back positions on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. If not for injuries and the already questionable depth of this unit, Samuels would undoubtedly be off of the team. While Snell shined in brief moments as a rookie, he doesn’t pose a receiving threat out of the backfield and only serves as a rotation back.

When the Steelers finally get on the board at 49, some notable running backs could be left. D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins will surely be gone, but Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Zack Moss could be available. In a strange scenario, Jonathan Taylor may even still be on the board.

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