Among the many needs the Pittsburgh Steelers have on offense, the team will have to decide what direction to go at when it comes to the running back position.
After four years as the starter, Najee Harris is set to hit free agency following the team declining his fifth-year option in 2024. We continue to believe that letting the former first-round pick walk is the right move, as the team shouldn’t be spending significant money on a running back who doesn’t move the needle all that much.
We also believe the Steelers should look to add their long-term solution at running back at some point during the 2025 NFL Draft, which sports a very good class at the position.
In a recent mock, NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has the Steelers doing just that, but unlike many other mocks that have the Steelers taking a running back in the first round, he doesn’t have Pittsburgh selecting Boise State star, Ashton Jeanty.
Instead, McShay believes the Steelers will draft North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the No. 21 overall pick.
With Najee Harris slated to be an unrestricted free agent and Jaylen Warren headed toward restricted free agency, the Steelers don’t have an obvious in-house candidate to lead their running back room in 2025.
Hampton’s a downhill runner who brings the yards-after-contact skills that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has historically coveted. He’d be an immediate talent upgrade at the position from a skill set and contract perspective, functioning as a cheaper, higher-upside version of Harris. Pittsburgh also has needs in the secondary and could target FSU cornerback Azareye’h Thomas with this pick if it decides to address the running back position later in the draft or in free agency.
While running back is a big need for the Steelers, it certainly isn’t the biggest. And, with the class being so deep, and with the Steelers having essentially struck out on the last first-round running back they took (Harris), it’s going to be tough to sell taking one this early to the fan base.
But we know head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan don’t care about that. And, with the franchise allergic to significant change, taking a running back in this spot is a very realistic scenario.
As far as the fit in Arthur Smith’s offense is concerned, Hampton is a good one. He brings the kind of powerful running style that Smith will love, but Hampton is also an explosive ball-carrier, can catch passes out of the backfield and is a plus in pass protection, which makes him a potential three-down option.
The Steelers need a game-changer at running back, something Harris was not. The North Carolina product has a chance to be that, we just don’t love a running back for the Steelers this early.
MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS
Steelers predicted to pair George Pickens with $60 million receiver
Steelers free agent prediction lands $112 million 4-time All-Pro quarterback
Projected $77 million Steelers free agent could soon leave for Titans
