The Pittsburgh Steelers will almost certainly be looking to draft a running back later this month in NFL draft and Tony Pauline reports Wednesday on Twitter that UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin will be making a pre draft visit to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
In his four years at UCLA, Franklin rushed for 4,403 yards on 788 carries and had 31 touchdowns. He also recorded 58 catches for another 517 yards and 3 touchdowns in addition.
At the NFL combine last month, Franklin measured in at 5100 and 205 pounds. He ran 4.46 forty yard dash, a 4.31 short shuttle, and a 6.89 three cone drill. He also posted a 31.5″ vertical and a 9\’07” broad jump.
Franklin is considered a one-cut running back with great vision that is expected to be drafted in either the second or third round. Right now he is not considered to be an every down back, but more of a compliment back while he refines his pass protection and other areas of his game.
Besides Franklin, the Steelers have already brought in Texas A&M running back Christine Michael for a pre draft visit, and more are expected prior to the draft.
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2009* | FR | 126 | 566 | 4.5 | 5 | 6 | 57 | 9.5 | 0 | 132 | 623 | 4.7 | 5 |
| 2010 | SO | 214 | 1127 | 5.3 | 8 | 10 | 63 | 6.3 | 0 | 224 | 1190 | 5.3 | 8 |
| 2011* | JR | 166 | 976 | 5.9 | 5 | 9 | 74 | 8.2 | 1 | 175 | 1050 | 6.0 | 6 |
| 2012* | SR | 282 | 1734 | 6.1 | 13 | 33 | 323 | 9.8 | 2 | 315 | 2057 | 6.5 | 15 |
| Career | 788 | 4403 | 5.6 | 31 | 58 | 517 | 8.9 | 3 | 846 | 4920 | 5.8 | 34 | |
Steelers Pre Draft Visits To Date
OLB John Simon – Ohio State – April 1
RB Christine Michael – Texas A&M – April 1
ILB Vince Williams – Florida State – April 1
OLB Jarvis Jones – Georgia – April 2
OLB Jamie Collins – Southern Mississippi – April 2
LB Khaseem Greene – Rutgers- April 2
S Jonathan Meeks – Clemson- April 2
S Phillip Thomas – Fresno State- April 2
ILB Michael Mauti – Penn State – April 3
OLB Malliciah Goodman – Clemson – April 3
