Steelers Draft Speedster RB Dri Archer With 3rd Round Comp Pick

With the 97th pick in the 2014 draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Kent State RB Dri Archer. This pick shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise. Todd Haley has a penchant for small, quick play makers, and Dri Archer is as quick and small as they come. Archer ran an official 4.26 at the combine, and one scout unofficially clocked him in at 4.18. His 10 yard split was also faster than any other back at the combine.

Aside from his ridiculous speed and ability to line up in a variety of spots on the LOS, he’s also a return threat. Archer has a career average of 26.7 yards per KR and four career scores. He’ll line up in the back field, on the edge or in the slot. With any back of his type, durability in the NFL is a concern. At 5′ 7″ and a half, 173 lbs, he’ll need to make guys miss.

Archer was incredibly productive at Kent State in 2012, amassing 1,429 yards from scrimmage. His 2013 numbers were much lower though, mainly due to a nagging ankle injury early in the season. Some analysts have compared Archer to Dexter McCluster and Darren Sproles. What do you think of the pick? Love it, hate it, or indifferent? Let us know in the comments or the forum.