The Pittsburgh Steelers are now two weeks into free agency, but there are still some fairly large holes throughout the roster. The organization has done a good job drafting over the last two seasons, so there is some hope that General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl are able to deliver another pristine draft class to help fill out the roster. Obvious positions the Steelers will likely need to address throughout the event at the end of April include defensive tackle, wide receiver, running back, and quarterback.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Running back Jaylen Warren during a home game with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.
The Steelers lost four-year starting running back Najee Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, which means Pittsburgh will need to remake the position. Jaylen Warren is more than capable of being the lead back, but he is going to need some help. The organization went out and signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year deal during free agency, and he should be a significant contributor on offense.
While Gainwell and Warren are more than efficient, they are both only on one-year contracts. Pittsburgh will need to inject some youth into the position through the draft, and insider Ray Fittipaldo believes that is what will happen. He said this during his recent mailbag on Tuesday with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"I don't see the Steelers signing another free agent RB," Fittipaldo wrote. "They already have Warren and Gainwell on one-year deals. They can draft an RB and he can become a future starter, or at the very least, a rotational player."
Some fans in Pittsburgh want to see the organization go after a veteran running back like JK Dobbins or Nick Chubb. Both players would be more expensive than a rookie, and both players have struggled with serious injuries in recent years. It just would not be a smart move for the franchise when there is value at the position throughout the 2025 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Times
Former Chargers running back, JK Dobbins (right).
Chubb has been a great player throughout his career, and Dobbins had a career resurgence in 2024 with the Chargers. He was also a good back during his time with the Baltimore Ravens, but he struggled to stay on the field due to constant injury issues. Chubb is likely closer to the end of his career, and it is fair to assume that Dobbins has more gas in the tank.
Warren is a quality running back, and Gainwell has been serviceable on a good team so far in his career. Running back is by no means the biggest need on the 2025 roster, however the future of the position is uncertain. With both backs that are expected to contribute in 2025 not being under contract in 2026, it is crucial the organization finds a quality running back at some point in the draft come April.
Steelers Likely Need To Find A Future Lead Back In The 2025 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh needs a back that can carry the load in the backfield for years to come, but the organization needs that back to fit a certain mold for the 2025 season. Both Warren and Gainwell have similar play styles and similar builds, so the Steelers need to search for a running back with a larger frame that can absorb contact. Fittipaldo believes there are a couple of matches.
"As I said earlier with Warren and Gainwell, they need a bigger back, so someone like Kaleb Johnson or Ollie Gordon would make sense," Fittipaldo wrote.
Kaleb Johnson is an intriguing running back out of Iowa, while Ollie Gordon II had been great throughout his college career, but had a down year at Oklahoma State in 2024.
AP
Former Iowa running back scores a touchdown against the Washington Huskies.
Both backs fit the mold of being bigger backs that can create explosive plays, which is exactly what Pittsburgh needs moving forward. It wouldn't make sense to spend more money on the position when there are multiple solutions in the draft.
What do you want the Steelers to do at the running back position? Let us know in the comments below!
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