The Pittsburgh Steelers have been commended for their aggression this off-season and with good cause. They had a lot of gaps entering into the off-season, and they've filled most of them. However, they still have many needs they have to fill in some key positions. Many Steeler fans rank SS, CB, and WR among their top priorities. Given their lack of depth at wide receiver and the necessity for a starter at SS, this is understandable. Nonetheless, there is one critical need that many people overlook, and that is RB, which is more important than most people realize.
Why the Steelers need another running back
You could be thinking that the Steelers have more serious needs, and believe me when I say that I understand. Having a capable RB2 is, however, just as important. There are numerous reasons why this would be such an important signing. The most important is being able to keep Najee Harris fresh. Harris touched the ball 381 times last season!!! Yes, 381, you read that correctly. He shouldn't be touching the ball that many times, no matter how talented he is. Given that RBs have a shorter shelf life, the fewer touches he gets, the better. Having a capable RB2 allows Pittsburgh to keep Harris fresh, which is beneficial in late-game scenarios, and it gives the offense a viable option if Harris goes down.
Steelers running back Najee Harris vs. Baltimore Ravens in 2021 at Heinz Field.
I just want to clarify that I am a huge fan of Najee Harris and think he’s our best playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. I still feel he should be the workhorse back and get most of the carries, but we have to be practical, and 380+ touches per year is simply unrealistic. Limiting his touches allows the Steelers to get the best version of Harris throughout the entire season and it allows Harris to prolong his career in the NFL. It would be a win-win for everyone involved. Consider the Steelers' previous successful rushing attacks. One thing they all had in common was two trustworthy running backs who could come in and play at a high level. Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis, and DeAngelo Williams and Le'Veon Bell are two great examples of why having a capable RB2 in the lineup to complement Najee Harris is critical for Pittsburgh.
Who would you like Pittsburgh to sign at RB? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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