Getting near the end of our 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers “what they look for” studies. Running back isn’t high on the team’s list of needs this year but could potentially be added later in the draft. So we’re taking a look at what prospects fit best based off the Steelers’ minimum thresholds.
We’ll list out all the running backs drafted throughout the Mike Tomlin era, create the slate of minimums, and see which players fit the best.
Here are all the runners drafted by the Steelers since 2007.
2021: Najee Harris
Height: 6013
Weight: 232
Hand Size: 10 1/4″
40 Time: N/A
Bench: N/A
Vert: N/A
Broad: N/A
2020: ANTHONY MCFARLAND
Height: 5081
Weight: 208
Hand Size: 8 7/8″
40 Time: 4.44
Bench: N/A
Vert: 29.5″
Broad: 9’8″
2019: BENNY SNELL
Height: 5103
Weight: 224
Hand Size: 9 3/8″
40 Time: 4.66
Bench: 16
Vert: 29.5″
Broad: 9’11”
2018: JAYLEN SAMUELS
Height: 5114
Weight: 225
Hand Size: 9 1/4″
40 Time: 4.54
Bench: 18
Vert: 34.5″
Broad: 10’1″
2017: JAMES CONNER
Height: 6012
Weight: 233
Hand Size: 9 7/8″
40 Time: 4.65
Bench: 20
Vert: 29″
Broad: 9’5″
2013: LE’VEON BELL
Height: 6013
Weight: 230
40 Time: 4.60
Hand Size: 9 5/8″
Bench: 24
Vert: 31.5″
Broad: 9’10”
Short Shuttle: 4.24
Three-Cone: 6.75
2011: BARON BATCH
Height: 5095
Weight: 207
40 Time: N/A
Bench: 24
Vert: 39″
Broad: 10’6″
2010: JONATHAN DWYER
Height: 5112
Weight: 229
40 Time: 4.68
Hand Size: 8 5/8″
Bench: 15
Vert: 33″
Broad: 8’11″
Short Shuttle: 4.67
Three-Cone: 7.56
2008: RASHARD MENDENHALL
Height: 5101
Weight: 225
40 Time: 4.45
Bench: 26
Vert: 33.5″
Broad: 9’9″
Here is the criteria we’ll use. No changes this year. Harris’ injury didn’t allow him to workout and he easily checked and furthered the height/weight boxes, sticking with the team’s theme of drafting burly runners. Pittsburgh doesn’t care much about athleticism when it comes to the position.
Height: 5’10″+ (7 of 9 drafted)
Weight: 220+ (7 of 8)
Hand Size: 8 1/2″ (6 of 7)
40 Time: Sub-4.70 (7 of 8)
Bench: 15 (7 of 7)
Vert: 29+ (8 of 8)
Broad: 9’5″+ (7 of 8)
Three runners checked all of those boxes. They are:
| Name/School | Height | Weight | Hand Size | 40 Time | Bench | Vert | Broad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Allgeier/BYU | 5106 | 224 | 9 5/8 | 4.60 | 24 | 33 | 10’0″ |
| Snoop Conner/Ole Miss | 5101 | 222 | 9 1/4 | 4.59 | 25 | 29.5″ | 9’10” |
| Keaontay Ingram/USC | 5116 | 221 | 9 | 4.53 | 23 | 34.5″ | 10’2″ |
Not the most household names on the list and all likely Day 3/UDFA selections. Conner is an interesting name, especially with the Steelers well-represented at his Ole Miss Pro Day, though mainly to watch QB Matt Corral. He’s an underclassman with 13 rushing scores a year ago. Ingram is a Texas transfer who finished his college career with the Trojans. Allgeier proved to be a workhorse last season with 276 carries, rushing for over 1,600 yards.
Nine running backs missed in just one category. They are:
Gregg Bell/San Diego State: Weight (201)
Leddie Brown/West Virginia: Weight (213)
Ty Chandler/North Carolina: Weight (204)
Ty Davis-Price/LSU: Weight (211)
Kevin Harris/South Carolina: Height (5097)
Isaih Pacheco/Rutgers: Weight (216)
D’vonte Price/FIU: Weight (210)
Pierre Strong/North Dakota State: Weight (207)
Rachaad White/Arizona State: Weight (214)
Eight of the nine missed in the weight category. This is actually a pretty big running back class but still, 220 pounds is harder to hit. Many prospects also drop weight during the pre-draft process to get faster and time better so some of these backs probably played heavier during the season. Watching guys like Brown and Davis-Price, they certainly looked 220+. The guys who come the closest like Pacheco and White and Brown and TDP are the most notable on here. Harris missed the height by just an eighth of an inch.
