Teams whose 2021 RB1 isn't on their roster

[hawaiiansteel]

Teams whose 2021 RB1 isn't on their roster

Published: Dec 09, 2020
Maurice Jones-Drew

Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 · 11-1-0

Current RBs: James Conner, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds

The Steelers' ground attack has been anything but great over the last seven weeks, with Pittsburgh failing to top 100 rushing yards in all but one game (Week 11, when the Steelers ran for 106 yards vs. Jacksonville) in that span. Conner has been the offense's most efficient back this season, averaging 4.4 rushing yards per carry, but he's missed the last two games since testing positive for COVID-19. The circumstances of this latest absence are unique, but the unfortunate fact remains that Conner has not yet started more than 12 games in any of his four NFL seasons thus far. The former third-rounder is set to hit free agency this coming offseason, and as much as the Steelers like him, I don't know how they justify paying a guy who isn't always readily available. Snell, McFarland and Samuels have all been fine, but trotting one of these guys out there as the Day 1 starter tasked with complementing a stellar air attack doesn't excite me much. Looks like it's back to the draft for Pittsburgh.

https://www.nfl.com/news/rb-index-week-14-teams-whose-2021-rb1-isn-t-on-their-roster

[NorthCoast]

Here's the problem; I don't think I'm alone in thinking most of the issues with the run game can be tied to the OL. Unfortunately the OL is not getting completely rebuilt until Roethlisberger is gone since his buds (DD, MP, AV) will be retained until he retires. So, do you continue to waste early picks on RBs who will end up doing nothing behind a crap OL or do you just bide time by looking for eventual OL replacements? While football has changed a lot over the years, I still think it gets done in the trenches. Go OL early, look for RB later.

[Northern_Blitz]

I think Snell / McFarland can be good enough next season (if we can run block).

I won't be too surprised if we use a fairly early pick on RB, but I do think we'll end up with a bunch of holes on the roster after cap casualties so we may not have the luxury.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Here's the problem; I don't think I'm alone in thinking most of the issues with the run game can be tied to the OL. Unfortunately the OL is not getting completely rebuilt until Roethlisberger is gone since his buds (DD, MP, AV) will be retained until he retires. So, do you continue to waste early picks on RBs who will end up doing nothing behind a crap OL or do you just bide time by looking for eventual OL replacements? While football has changed a lot over the years, I still think it gets done in the trenches. Go OL early, look for RB later.

I agree, but I don't necessarily agree that the three linemen you mentioned are fixtures as long as Ben is here. AV is a FA after this season, and I don't know that he comes back. If he does it will not be at a big time LT cost. The other two are both in the final year of their contracts. Even if the Steelers had been planning to appease Ben these years, I see this as a perfect reason to make the move on one or both. Cutting DD saves $8.75M against the cap, cutting MP saves $8M. I've been saying it for at least two years, so eventually I hope to be right, but I'll call for the release of Pouncey this off-season.

[NorthCoast]

I agree, but I don't necessarily agree that the three linemen you mentioned are fixtures as long as Ben is here. AV is a FA after this season, and I don't know that he comes back. If he does it will not be at a big time LT cost. The other two are both in the final year of their contracts. Even if the Steelers had been planning to appease Ben these years, I see this as a perfect reason to make the move on one or both. Cutting DD saves $8.75M against the cap, cutting MP saves $8M. I've been saying it for at least two years, so eventually I hope to be right, but I'll call for the release of Pouncey this off-season.

Good points on the financials. Certainly expect that these are considerations and, just maybe Roethlisberger hangs it up if one or more of those guys don't return? Too early to worry about that stuff now (as long as someone in the org is doing it )

[SteelerOfDeVille]

they know our run game is struggling because of the short passes, right? that kind of game tends to suck safeties up closer to the box to help on all those short passes. ya may as well be running sweeps on every play

you'd have to have Barry sanders back there in order to have a dangerous running game....

[steeler_george]

I think yes we do need an upgrade at RB, but I am thinking this team needs so much more: TE, OL, especially when we are going to have only 1 T on roster, ILB, DB, and the DL isn't getting younger.

[hawaiiansteel]

you'd have to have Barry sanders back there in order to have a dangerous running game....

none of us might know who Barry Sanders is if he had been running behind this offensive line...

[Disco1981]

none of us might know who Barry Sanders is if he had been running behind this offensive line...

You're right!

[Eich]

Derrick Henry, Bettis in his prime, Barry Sanders - no one is going to be successful when the opposing D is in your backfield.

I don't put this mess on losing Munchak either. He's great and all, but professional linemen don't just forget fundamentals in blocking. This is a decline in ability issue IMO.

I really think the Steelers need to start making some changes on the line and getting a WHOLE lot more creative with play calling.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Derrick Henry, Bettis in his prime, Barry Sanders - no one is going to be successful when the opposing D is in your backfield.

I don't put this mess on losing Munchak either. He's great and all, but professional linemen don't just forget fundamentals in blocking. This is a decline in ability issue IMO.

I really think the Steelers need to start making some changes on the line and getting a WHOLE lot more creative with play calling.

Preach brother.

[feltdizz]

Derrick Henry, Bettis in his prime, Barry Sanders - no one is going to be successful when the opposing D is in your backfield.

I don't put this mess on losing Munchak either. He's great and all, but professional linemen don't just forget fundamentals in blocking. This is a decline in ability issue IMO.

I really think the Steelers need to start making some changes on the line and getting a WHOLE lot more creative with play calling.

You don’t give up on the run because a few plays didn’t work early in the game.

and Barry Sanders had a ton of tackles for losses because he was always dodging defenders in the backfield. He was just insane and had guys breaking ankles with his talent.

Imagine if we abandoned the pass because of a few early incompletions.

105 passes in 2 games when leading in 7 of 8 quarters is just ignoring the run intentionally.

[Disco1981]

You don’t give up on the run because a few plays didn’t work early in the game.

and Barry Sanders had a ton of tackles for losses because he was always dodging defenders in the backfield. He was just insane and had guys breaking ankles with his talent.

Imagine if we abandoned the pass because of a few early incompletions.

105 passes in 2 games when leading in 7 of 8 quarters is just ignoring the run intentionally.

We don't have anyone even remotely close to Barry Sanders talent on this team so, Why would you mention his name?

I know, Because you're Radio... ANOTHER quality post there Bud lolololololol...This, I why people love to read your posts lolololololol

[Chucktownsteeler]

If I were the Steelers I would address the RB position no later than round 2.

[feltdizz]

If I were the Steelers I would address the RB position no later than round 2.

I would address the OL first.