2023 Steelers Training Camp Preview: The Running Backs
It’s hard to believe but the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Training Camp is right around the corner. As we countdown the days until camp begins, SCU will highlight each position group detailing the players who will be competing for a spot on the Steelers’ final 53-man roster at the end of this Summer.
One of the bigger storylines heading into last season’s training camp was how Najee Harris needed a backup – and perhaps shouldn’t be used as a bell cow (that is, the only back taking handoffs in the Steelers offense.)
Fast forward to the 2023 offseason, and it would appear that the team found Harris’ complement coming out of last year’s camp competition. But for a position that hasn’t been talked about much this offseason, is the team through with pursuing further options behind Harris?
Let’s have a look at the running backs the Steelers are bringing to camp this Summer.
Najee Harris
Harris led the Steelers in rushing for a second-straight season. After gaining 1,200 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns as a rookie, the former Alabama product followed that up in 2022 with 1,034 yards and matching his 7 TDs from the previous season.
Harris has also caught 115 passes for 696 yards and 6 touchdowns over the course of his last 34 games.
However, he caught some grief after a slow start to the 2022 campaign, which was marred by poor offensive play all around. It was disclosed that Harris, who sat out all of the preseason games, had developed a Lisfranc injury and had a plate in his foot.
This also led to the 2021 first round draft selection to carry the ball fewer than 20 times per game, up until the Steelers bye week. Following the bye, Harris would finally reach more heights: after only one touchdown on the ground prior to Week 10, Harris would score 6 in the subsequent nine games.
While he only had one game with over 100 yards rushing, Harris would top a 4.0 yards-per-carry average in six games.
He enters 2023 with no known health issues and ready to assume the captain’s role he was bestowed last season.
Jaylen Warren
The team’s second-leading rusher sprung from out of nowhere, leapfrogging former fourth-round pick Benny Snell Jr. to become Harris’ backup.
Warren would best Harris’ 3.8 YPC in 2022 with a team-best 4.9 YPC on 77 attempts. His 379 yards were the most by a Steelers backup rusher since DeAngelo Williams (907 yards) replaced Le’Veon Bell (556 yards) in 2015. (So long as you don’t count two 400-ish yard performances by Snell and James Conner in 2019, where the run game failed to feature a 1,000-yard back!)
Warren’s inclusion in the Steelers offense has generated excitement in that he offers a change of pace that helps preserve and compliment Harris. Long were the days the Steelers used to pound a single back, such as Bell, and with a 17-game schedule firmly in place, the coaching staff was wise to spot Warren’s ability and give him opportunities to make the most of it.
One of the more surprising aspects of Warren’s game too is that he’s a willing blocker – excellent in pass protection and also a threat in the air, catching 28 passes for 214 yards including a 26-yard long in 2022.
He will enter camp as RB2 with little competition looking over his shoulder.
Everyone Else
Steelers quarterbacks were the other main threat in the run game, as Kenny Pickett finished third with 237 yards. Mobile QB Mitchell Trubisky added 38 yards when necessary.
However, other backs such as Snell or FB Derek Watt are no longer with the team. Pittsburgh may opt to use versatile FB/TE Connor Heyward as a blocking back in the few situations which require one. The team signed undrafted college free agent Monte Pottebaum (Iowa) to potentially be another placeholder for that role.
Anthony McFarland Jr., who was drafted in 2020, ended up on the practice squad last season before being called up to play against Indianapolis. He would run the ball six times for 50 yards.
McFarland also had a nice preseason showing, leading all backs with 11 carries for 63, a 5.7 average.
Aside from McFarland, the Steelers are bringing Alfonzo Graham (Morgan State), Darius Hagans (Virginia State), and journeyman Jason Huntley (New Mexico State) to camp, in hopes of having one or two of these four running backs stick to the practice squad.
