The 2022 NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers should be looked at as a success. In what was General Manager Kevin Colbert’s last draft process before stepping down from the position, the front office addressed the most pressing needs on this roster that would enable this team to be in a win now mode, from Week 1 on. Offense was clearly this team's downfall in 2021. With an aging future Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger under center for his final season, the team relied heavily on rookie running back Najee Harris’s efforts as they attempted to create more of a rush-first type of offense.
Their attempt was definitely successful to say the least. Harris himself, took the bulk of the carries in 2021 and rushed for over 1,200 yards in his first season in the black and gold (307 attempts for 1,200 yards) which equals to just about 4 yards per carry. Obviously, there is room for improvement, and Harris has plenty of time to grow, but with the additions the Steelers made through free agency, our offensive line has gotten significantly better than it was last season. Anyone who watched any Steeler football last year was able to see how much of a disadvantage our offensive line play put this offense in, especially in the run game.
The Steelers made it very clear that their focus this off-season has been upgrading their offense. Not only with what they did in free agency, but also deciding to prioritize selecting playmakers during last month's NFL Draft. Five out of the seven draft picks selected by the Steelers were on the offensive side of the football. Kenny Pickett and Chris Oladokun (both quarterbacks), George Pickens and Calvin Austin III (wide receivers) and Connor Heyward (fullback/tight end) were those respected selections.
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Draft Class. From Rounds 1-7. | Steelers.com
Obviously, finding Roethlisberger's heir apparent was at the top of the priority list, followed by finding playmakers to now upgrade their passing game. All this after choosing to address the rushing game more so in 2021. I was, however, surprised that the front office did not address the backup running back position in either free agency or the draft process, even if it is just to serve as depth behind the up and coming superstar that Harris is becoming.
If anything, it should tell you the comfort level that the Steelers have in Harris’s ability itself, plus the guys who they currently have listed on the depth chart below him. Those two significant names are Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland, both with different styles of play. While Snell Jr. has seen more time physically on the field, McFarland's game is one that translates with the type of offenses that the NFL is now becoming more accustomed to.
In three seasons already under his belt with the black and gold, Snell Jr. has rushed 255 times for 892 yards and six touchdowns. His best season was back in 2019 where he started in five total games, sitting behind an injured James Conner, rushing the ball 108 times for 426 yards and only two total touchdowns. Although he has shown signs of being a capable NFL starter, Snell Jr. has always kind of been in the shadows of others while in Pittsburgh, sitting behind two Pro Bowl talents already throughout his young three-year career (Conner in 2018, 2022 and Harris 2022). We have heard Head Coach Mike Tomlin preach of this “Benny Snell Football” type of mentality that he brings to the games, which leads SteelerNation to believe there is some deal of confidence in the young running back within the organization, we just need to see the translation to the field.
McFarland on the other hand possesses more of an ability to not only rush the ball with blazing speed, but also has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield effectively. The Steelers used a fourth round draft pick back in 2020 to select McFarland to hopefully help bolster their running game. Although many saw a bright future, McFarland has yet to stay healthy enough to show much on the field. His situation is a unique one going into the 2022 season though as he reunites with his former coach at Maryland University in offensive coordinator Matt Canada, and is coming off of a year in which he saw little to no action on a football field (due to injury). If the third year rusher can do his best to stay healthy this year, this would be the year for him to showcase what we all have been missing out on since he was first drafted.
The main goal is to take some pressure off of Harris’s shoulders, so he is not carrying the full load of the rushing attack. Is he capable of doing so? Without a doubt. The second year rusher is coming off a rookie season in which he ran the ball 307 times while also catching 74 passes. Workload for Harris is something this organization would be smart to think about, especially so young in his career. The Steelers did not address this position in the off-season so far, and if they don’t, at least one of these two guys is going to be fighting for that full time RB2 position, and who knows how impactful they can really be?
Do you think McFarland or Snell Jr. could be a solid backup to Najee Harris? Or do the Steelers still need to address this position as the off-season rolls on? Comment below!
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