Steelers Reportedly Expected to Draft RB After Najee Harris Joined Chargers

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be looking at the 2025 NFL draft to fill their hole at running back.

Matt Miller of ESPN reported that the team has invested significant time in evaluating the running backs in the draft class and that the team is likely to draft a tailback in the middle rounds.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a ton of work on this talented running back group, according to scouting sources," Miller wrote. "Pittsburgh lost starter Najee Harris in free agency and returns Jaylen Warren, but the expectation around the league is the team will draft a running back. Pittsburgh doesn't have a second-round pick after trading it for wide receiver DK Metcalf, so this could be a Round 3 or Round 4 target."

The Steelers lost 2024 starter Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had 223 carries for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games in 2024. Jaylen Warren is the top running back currently on the roster and he had 120 carries for 511 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

Ashton Jeanty is rated as the top running back in the draft class by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, but he is likely to be a first-round pick. If the Steelers intend to use a middle-round pick, options include Kaleb Johnson, Dylan Sampson, Damien Martinez, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

Regardless of who they take, it looks like the Steelers will have a new, developmental back to pair with Warren as they look to contend in a strong AFC North division.

The 2025 NFL draft is set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.