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

I disagree, I think Najee is the type of back that will get you 3-4 yards even though the line did nothing to open holes or hold their block longer than half a second. Najee is a tough runner and while I dont believe he will ever be a break away back, I think he will do very well behind a well coached offensive line.

 

And he should never run the toss sweep

 

18 games of 20+ carries and 28 games of 20+ touches.... Najee's problem wasn't the number of touches, it was what he did with them. Going into this season no back in the league touched the ball more (carries and receptions) more than Najee Harris. Some of that was due to injury by Chubb, CMC, Henry, and Barkley who touch it more than him, but he got plenty of volume. He was a top 5 back in volume but was probably outside the top 20 when it comes to YPC/efficiency.

 

Najee touched the ball more than any other RB because he's the only starting RB to remain healthy during that time, a power RB like Najee isn't going to be that effective getting just 15 carries a game.

 

If you live in an area of one of the 4 teams left you can feel the excitement. It's all over the TV and radio. TBH, I'm a little jealous. The Steelers gave us that in Ben's prime. I'm seeing them have the big day game parties we use to have.

The saddest part is, it's obvious we are a long long way from being a force again

 

He averaged 19 touches a game for his career in Pittsburgh. He was always in the top 10-12 in the league in carries (higher if you count total touches). However he was never higher than 26th in YPC and cracked the top 15 in TD's once. He got plenty of opportunity to carry the ball. He just isn't very good. He's a durable volume runner who had excellent ball security. He's fine for what he is, but what he brings to the table isn't worth more than 15 carries a game. Watching Saquon, Cook, Henry, and Gibbs makes me super jealous. These guys take the rock and turn little creases into huge gains. Najee just can't do what they do, and that is fine. I want a guy that can do those things (and there are a few guys in the draft that I think can).

He is just in the wrong era. In today's NFL his skillset isn't suited to be a lead back. 20-25 years ago he would've been a hot commodity. But the RB position isn't what it was, and if you're not explosive, a threat in space, or a threat as a receiver out of the backfield... then you're just a guy.

 

Yes and no. I think Najee is an easy guy to hold to no gain, as all you have to do is muddle the line up. He isn't explosive enough to get to top speed quickly so if you get to him early, he is quite easy to bring down. However, when he gets to top speed, he has a propensity to drag some guys with him for a few extra yards. He's a lot harder to bring down with a full head of steam.

Najee needs to go to a perfect situation to be an asset to a team. I can't imagine too many forward thinking offensive schemes seeing a lot of value in Najee, but a team like the Chargers might. Old school, 12 personnel running. Somebody will give him decent money, but I don't see him being much more successful than he has been here.

 

Its a really good list. I think a really good RB will be available to us in the second round.

My favorites are below

1A. Ashton Jeanty - First round talent. Feels like another BSU RB in Jay Ajayi, though I think he is a bit more talented than Ajayi - Comparable - Ray Rice
1B. Treyveon Henderson - This year's Jahmyr Gibbs. An all around threat in every aspect of the game. House call at any moment. I really hope he is available in round 2 to us, but a sub 4.4 forty time could change that. Favorite RB in the class. - Comparable - Jahmyr Gibbs
3. Quinshon Judkins - Has good speed, runs with power, can block a bit, and is a reasonably big guy. Not quite as refined as Henderson as a 3 down back, but should be an impact starter right away. - Comparable - Kareem Hunt
4. Omarion Hampton - Quite similar stylistically to Judkins. Might be a bit slower, but has a bit more power. Feels like a safe bet to be a solid back. Might not have the ceiling the first 3 have, but still should be a good player - Comparable - David Johnson
5. Kaleb Johnson - Reasonably well rounded back. Good at a lot of things, excellent at nothing - Comparable - James Conner

 

Well, the Chiefs manage to win Super Bowls without a Barkley, Henry explosive type of RB .

 

The draft is too loaded at RB for the Steelers to draft one in the second round, they need to address DL, WR, and CB first.