5 Running Backs the Steelers Should Consider in the 2015 NFL Draft

As the 2015 NFL draft approaches, some of the Pittsburgh Steelers' needs are obvious; however, as free agency approaches and news starts to come in, other needs that were perhaps less obvious have now made their way to the forefront.

One of those needs is running back. The Steelers were devastated at the end of the 2014 regular season when star running back Le’Veon Bell took a hit on the knee from Cincinnati Bengals safety Reggie Nelson, ending his season.

The Steelers had no backup plan. The running back talent on the roster was inept, and it showed as the Steelers were bounced from the first round of the playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.

However, the hope was that all would be forgotten by the start of the season, and the Steelers would only need to make running back a tertiary need with a healthy Bell. Unfortunately, with the news that the Steelers front office is expecting Bell to be suspended two games to start the season for last year’s arrest, per ESPN's John Clayton (h/t The Associated Press, via ESPN.com), the whole game has changed.

Pittsburgh already needed to add a back, but there’s a real possibility that the Steelers will need a running back to be the starter on opening weekend. This ups the ante a great deal on which running back to pick.

Let’s take a look at five running backs the Steelers should consider.

Unless specified, all player data is courtesy of the college football section of Pro-Football-Reference.com.

David Johnson, Northern Iowa

If we are talking about adding another running back that can not only spell Bell during the season but also could potentially step in and start, there’s no player currently on the roster with the game to do that. Finding a running back that fits the bill means the Steelers are going to need to commit to a back in an earlier pick than originally anticipated.

The top needs are still outside linebacker and cornerback; however, beyond that, anything is fair game. So, should the Steelers front office feel that running back is a high enough priority that it uses a third-round pick on one, Northern Iowa’s David Johnson would make a great choice.

Johnson is an experienced back with 36 career starts in four years. In 2014, Johnson rushed for 1,553 yards and also chipped in 38 receptions for 536 more yards. He is a bruising, upright runner with an excellent jump cut and nice long speed. Johnson also has soft hands and can finish runs.

In fact, if you look at the 229-pound running back, you see a lot of the running back Bell was as a rookie. Johnson lacks explosion through the hole and takes too long to get up to speed; however, just like Bell, he could trim 10 or 12 pounds and add enough quickness and burst to really work well in the Steelers' rushing offense.

T.J. Yeldon, Alabama

Moving to the next-best running back in the same draft area as Johnson, we have Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon’s game gets criticism because his statistics trailed off in 2014; however, you don’t have to look any further than the stable of backs on the team to understand that Yeldon was simply part of a platoon.

In reality, having fewer miles on the tires is a very good thing. Oftentimes, the criticism of Alabama running backs is the wear-and-tear factor. Yeldon should be entering the league with pretty fresh legs.

As far as Yeldon’s game goes, he’s another tall, high-cut runner with nice vision and patience. He has a level of burst and agility that really defies logic for a 221-pound back; however, he often makes runs look easy as he can just glide outside and accelerate in a hurry. He is a blur in the open field and gets up to speed quickly. 

Yeldon is far from perfect, but his shortcomings are all coachable. He isn’t a great receiver out of the backfield and does struggle with pass protection, but as a pure running back, he would represent exceptional value in the later third or early fourth round.

Javorius Allen, USC

Next on the list of backs, and probably the last of this group that is ready to come in and contribute in a full-time role, is USC running back Javorius Allen. If you scout the stats, Allen won’t wow you; however, when you watch him play, you see a starting NFL-caliber running back.

Allen is another big back (6’1”, 220 lbs), with surprising speed and acceleration. He doesn’t have the best agility and does at times go down a bit too easily on runs; however, he does offer up a big target and needs to run with better pad level like Yeldon and Johnson do. Fortunately though, he does get downhill in a hurry.

Another plus for Allen is that he comes from an offense that has prepared him well for the NFL game. He has a good understanding of the passing game, whether it is as a receiver or a blocker, and he really only lacks the long speed to be among that next tier up of running back prospects.

Allen would make a great addition at the end of the fourth round.

Josh Robinson, Mississippi State

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The one back on this list that doesn’t really fit the mold of the rest is Mississippi State running back Josh Robinson. But how did a 5’9”, 215-pound running back find his way to a list full of big, tall backs? It’s his ability to impact the passing game that gives him a big bump here for the Steelers.

As a pure running back, Robinson is a nice player. He runs low and keeps his legs chugging, and he can oftentimes can break off some excellent runs. His pad level helps him fight for extra yards, and he does show nice vision inside. He won't overwhelm you in any area running the football, but he is productive, and he isn't afraid to carry the load.

However, it is his ability to impact this offense via the passing game that is enticing. The offense might be slightly less potent running the football, but with the way quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likes to target the running backs in the passing game, Robinson would get plenty of looks.

In the fifth round, he would be a nice upgrade over the running backs currently on the roster.

John Crockett, North Dakota State

Last on this list we find North Dakota State running back John Crockett. Of all of the guys on this list, Crockett is the one that would cost the least in terms of a draft pick, but he would be a much greater leap of faith to be ready to play as a rookie.

However, just watching Crockett run, you see flashes of a guy who could very well develop into a solid NFL back. Crockett’s game is built around his explosion and quick feet. He does a nice job letting plays set up and can exploit creases with that acceleration. He can really make people miss and is moving at all times.

Unfortunately, for all that Crockett does well, in terms of being a speed back, he lacks in power. He needs clean air to get his yards. He is a lean athlete but doesn’t have a ton of power to his game. Nevertheless, as a third-down specialist, he has definite value on this team. He also wouldn't cost the Steelers more than a sixth-round selection.