The NFL Draft is officially over and attention will shift to OTAs and off-season camps. The 90-man roster is set and the team will be looking at their depth chart for every position entering training camp. This series will examine who has the inside chances to be higher on the depth chart come August. For this edition, we will look at running backs.
Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Depth Chart Projections
1. Le’Veon Bell
Arguably the best running back in the NFL, Le’Veon Bell is the cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. In 2016, if the Steelers could run the ball successfully, they typically won. However, when Bell struggled, the offense clearly suffered. Bell was suspended for the first three games of 2016 and still managed to finish fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,268 yards. He finished second in the league in rushing yards per game with 105.7 yards, just behind Ezekiel Elliott who finished with an average of 108.7 yards per game. Bell has been in the news lately for pursuing a new long-term contract, but as of now, he’s still currently signed under the franchise tag. The Steelers will need to lock up Bell before free agency hits next year because as long as he’s healthy, Bell is the most important piece of the Steelers offense.
2. James Conner
James Conner has a great comeback story after recovering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The University of Pittsburgh running back gets to stay in Pittsburgh and play for the home-town Steelers. The Steelers took Conner in the third round of this year’s draft and fans were ecstatic. Conner even worked out with Ben Roethlisberger before the draft and showed great chemistry on passing plays. A hard-working, dynamic and physical runner, Conner will be a much-needed addition to the Steelers offense. Bell carried most of the workload in 2016, so he should have some of the pressure relieved from him knowing that he has Conner to back him up.
3. Knile Davis
The Steelers signed Knile Davis as a free agent this offseason after his contract ended with the Kansas City Chiefs. Davis was a sold backup to Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware, but ended up losing his spot to Charcandrick West. Davis’ best season came in 2014 when he ran for 463 yards and six touchdowns, along with catching another touchdown as well. Last season, Davis only carried the ball 18 times for 28 yards. Davis will likely be used as an injury replacement in case Bell or Conner get hurt. He’ll have to compete with Fitzgerald Toussaint for the third running back position.
4. Fitzgerald Toussaint
Toussaint has been an okay backup for the Steelers so far, but he needs to be more than just okay. Toussaint was the third running back on the depth chart last season, but when DeAngelo Williams was injured, Toussaint failed to provide adequate support for Bell. Over his three seasons in the NFL, Toussaint has carried the ball 38 times for 112 yards, giving him an average of only 2.9 yards per carry. Last year, Toussaint ran the ball 14 times for 58 yards, giving him an average of only 3.6 yards per carry. If Toussaint wants to see any playing time this year, he’ll need to impress coaches in training camp and preseason.
