My thoughts on our roster...... RB's

Throughout our history, no matter how dynamic the offense has been, the engine that makes it all go has always been the rb.... Unfortunately the rb rm, just like the qb rm is are almost all free agents.... the draft has some intriguing prospects at the position, but the actual star power is very top heavy, so do we re-sign what we have and focus our draft on bigger positions, or do we hit the re-set button... let's see what we have


Najee Harris ---- 4 seasons... all 4 seasons crossing the 1,000 yd mark, which has never been done in Pittsburgh before.... Upcoming free agent due to the team not picking up his 5th yr option... Najee had a small stretch of brilliant games, but overall, his season was underwhelming... Najee lacks any real burst, which benefits opposing defenses that have a good front 7.... holes close fairly quickly and Harris just doesn't hit those holes fast enough... Najee's strength is his down hill running, where he can put his shoulders down and deliver some punishment.... he also has very good feet and can make a defender or 2 miss, which has been important running behind a sub par o-line...
I have the feeling that Najee's time in black and gold is over and he will be replaced early in the draft


Jaylen Warren ---- Struggled this season with injuries... where Najee lacks burst to get to the hole, Warren is just the opposite... Warren hits the hole with speed and force, which usually results in an extra 5 yds as opposed to 2 for Najee..... Warren is not an easy back to bring down... he's not overly shifty but defenders know they have to fight to bring him down....
I'm sure he is extended for roughly 3 yrs, but i don't believe the coaches are ready to hand the offense over to him... he will continue to be a valuable piece in the offense and provide a safety valve option for whoever the qb is


Cordarelle Paterson ---- the only reason Paterson is here was because of Arthur Smith... he has been a dynamic kick returner, but the primary guy was Warren.... he had some moments in the offense, but does not have the ability to stay healthy.... When he is healthy, he shows that he still has some burst through the line and has a little wiggle...
He will be back next season as he's on a 2 yr contract, and will contribute to the offense in a small role



Next up..... wr's

 

I disagree that Patterson will be back next season, he did nothing on kickoff returns and most of the time he was slow in the running plays good riddance.

 

Never mind the drops, how does an NFL TE not know where the 1st down is? Other teams receivers have the first down and get driven back, ours are constantly short and forced to go forward. Obviously that allows a D, even ours, to come up and make the stop. Be over the chains first, secure ball and then only then look to go forward.

Consistent issue, coaching.

 

I agree with all of this.

I will add that I don't think Warren has the durability to be the main rb doing the level of work that Najee has been doing. My worry for next year with regard to the running backs has been that exact situation. Najee goes away and Warren picks up all of those extra carries. If Warren goes down with Najee gone, then what? Najee's real superpower was his durability. It allowed Warren to come in with fresh legs on a lot of plays.

 

My only issue with this post is that I can only check the agree button one time. I've been bitching about this all year long. We throw short of the sticks and have to fight to try and get those extra 4 yards for the first down. Doesn't work very well when the defenders right on top of you.

Also, this is a thread on running backs and you're talking about the tight ends. I'm thinking you meant to post this in a different thread.

 

I like all the takes that you put on these individual players collectively. The problem is though that the more I read the less I believe in this team. Not surprising in the least. Hopefully after you analyze all the players you will then do the same for the coaches and ownership, which to me is the biggest problem at the moment.

 

Disagree on Patterson. He has not been the same since his ankle injury in the Indy game - completely different player. He had that burst before - not so much after. Now he looks like he's constantly running in mud. Too bad we have him for another season, I don't think he's valuable at all.

 

A pseudo legendary Running Back Class is just months away!


Definitely gonna be pumped about that! No shortage of options there.

 

I think they go RB in the second or third this draft. There are a number of solidly-built guys that could compliment Warren and still be an upgrade to Harris in terms of vision and elusiveness. Guys like Hampton and Johnson could be thumpers, or a guy like TreyVeon Henderson - admittedly with some medical issues in 2022 and '23 - who brings a little less bulk (5'10"/215) but is still outsizes Warren while possessing his speed and dynamic play ability.

It's a good year to be looking for a RB.

Or he's ahead of his time.

 

The coaches were my 1st analysis..... you can find it at this point, on the 2nd page

 

Mike Greenberg described Najee perfectly this morning. "If you need a guy who can turn an 8 yard run into a 4 yard run, Najee's your guy."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I don't dislike Najee. He's just not worth a second contract. I'm glad we didn't give him the 5th year option.

 

His best ability is availability. He shows up every game and rarely fumbles the ball but he is just a functional back. Just a plodder that gets what's blocked for him.

 

It's cold, but it's facts

 

Everything I've seen on the sports networks say that this is an incredibly deep RB draft coming up. Even after the 7th round there will be backs taken in free agency that will play in the NFL. My favorite is Cam Scattebo from Arizona State. The best description I heard about him is that he is Mike Alstott with speed.

 

He’s past his “best by” date

 

For as big as Najee is, he runs soft. I've seen a handful of runs from him that I'm like...ok, that's the Najee I want to see when he is trying to break tackles, but that is few and far between. Just like someone said, he has not burst so he isnt a RB that you are going to expect to get to the sideline and turn it up field. He is going to get caught and is an easy tackle because his shoulders aren't squared up to the line of scrimmage. He is a north and south back with no burst to get through the holes that open up and shut quick. He is a plodder. Looks awkward when he tries to make a cut.

 

There are 35 RBs thatr are considered draft-worthy for 2025. The Steelers will be able to get an RB, that will compliment Warren or keep Warren in his current role.

 

This will be unpopular...


Re-sign Najee. But not as the feature back. Let Warren (RFA) leave in FA and take the draft pick from that to draft a feature back. Najee is the better all around RB. Use him as the backup.

 

Slowee looks like he runs in treacle and has the vision of Mr. Magoo. Patterson looks he runs in treacle with concrete wellingtons on.

For some reason Tomlin and the other mega brains did everything they could to sideline Warren and push Slowee.

All because someone wanted to prove themselves right.

 

It's all speculation at this point. And I did say my point would be unpopular.


Warren is fine for what he does when he's available. He is not a feature back. I guess he could backup the next feature back. But if comparing apples to apples, I'd rather have Najee as that backup.