"RB is a wasted pick"

[Fire Goodell]

I hear this a lot every draft, and I admit, I even started to believe it a little myself. However, anybody notice the huge drop off in production whenever Najee isn't the one carrying the ball? The level of talent is obvious. Even though the line's blocking is below par, there's a lot of yardage that Najee seems to make on his own, a lot of it after contact, or winning those 1on1 battles that are rarely done by Snell / Ballage/ McFarland. I for one am glad we drafted Harris.

Also I used to think Snell was a power runner, but he doesn't push the pile like Harris does. Dude is a beast.

[RunNGun]

The pick is looking more and more like the right one. If we can upgrade the OL a little more next season it could be scary how great this running game could be.

[DesertSteel]

Harris is a beast and I think he'll be a 1200-1400 yard back for 4-5 years, but at his rate of usage, there's no way I'd sign him for a second contract. The RB position is different than all other R1 picks, where you expect 8-10 years.

Overall, I'm pleased with Harris. I'm not sure he'll end of being the best back out of the draft. I'm really impressed with Williams out of NC (Denver).

[HollywoodSteel]

I think we also have to consider what Najee brings to the passing game as well. He isn't just a RB, he's an offensive weapon worthy of a first round pick (just don't let him talk to Leveon Bell's agent about that).

He's averaging 107.4 yards from scrimmage a game, and that's with the O-line getting off to a very shaky start. I don't think anyone can say that some other random RB we put back there could do that. The only RBs in the NFL with more yards from scrimmage are King Henry and Jonathan Taylor. Not to mention Najee has only played in 7 games so far.

[tube517]

Shhhhhhh Fire Goodell. That doesn't fit the narrative of the Najee is a bust/We shoulda drafted every o-linemen listed crowd. :chuckle:

[teegre]

On Freiermuth’s TD, Najee helped block Myles Garrett… which was HUGE.

[Rotorhead]

On Freiermuth’s TD, Najee helped block Myles Garrett… which was HUGE.

This is why we should just stop with the empty backfield sets going forward, Ben had plenty of time on that throw and wasn’t rushing it, keeping a TE and RB in on passing downs gives Ben more time and more outlets on check down with NH and PF while allowing the WRs to hopefully get open. I understand it makes the defenses job easier, but currently Ben has to throw in less than 3s every play and that is not working.

[EzraTank]

Now imagine him if we build a line.

[willy]

Saquon Barkley

Derrick Henry

https://parkwarehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/335be115-510x510.jpg

[86WARD]

Snell was never anything (is nothing) more than a slow runner.

[hawaiiansteeler]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDUVqXrXEAItTQe?format=jpg&name=small

[HollywoodSteel]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDUVqXrXEAItTQe?format=jpg&name=small

Chuba Hubbard should have his own bubble gum company.

[Craic]

I hear this a lot every draft, and I admit, I even started to believe it a little myself. However, anybody notice the huge drop off in production whenever Najee isn't the one carrying the ball? The level of talent is obvious. Even though the line's blocking is below par, there's a lot of yardage that Najee seems to make on his own, a lot of it after contact, or winning those 1on1 battles that are rarely done by Snell / Ballage/ McFarland. I for one am glad we drafted Harris.

Also I used to think Snell was a power runner, but he doesn't push the pile like Harris does. Dude is a beast.

Everything goes in cycles, especially in the nfl. There was a time when it was a wasted pick. But as offenses have rotated to more pass heavy schemes and defenses have moved to smaller faster linebackers or changed to a nickel or dime look, the running back position has become much more important again. I remember a time when the tight end was almost an afterthought. Now, however, as we've seen with our own offense, it's a pretty important position again.

[tube517]

Rookie Najee Harris phenomenal in his approach to the game

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/11/06/Steelers-rookie-Najee-Harris-Trai-Turner-Matt-Canada-offensive-line-rookie-of-the-month-rookie-of-the-year/stories/202111060045

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDUVqXrXEAItTQe?format=jpg&name=small

Yeah, I bet the Colts dont regret drafting Jonathan Taylor the season before either.

[Rotorhead]

James Connor had a beast of a game today 96 rushing yards, 77 receiving yards and 3 TDs

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

James Connor had a beast of a game today 96 rushing yards, 77 receiving yards and 3 TDs

Made of Glass
Soft
Waste of pick.

[Fire Goodell]

Made of Glass
Soft
Waste of pick.

I wanted to keep him, he was the only good RB on the roster the last couple years. He always produced when healthy, maybe not cut out to be a feature back, but perfect in a 1-2

[86WARD]

Made of Glass
Soft
Waste of pick.

Seems to be holding up fine in Arizona...

[emoji2369]

[HollywoodSteel]

Seems to be holding up fine in Arizona...

[emoji2369]

He isn’t a workhorse in Arizona. Mostly a goal line back when Edmonds is healthy.

But I’m certainly happy for him that he’s doing well. Hard not to root for him.

[86WARD]

He isn’t a workhorse in Arizona. Mostly a goal line back when Edmonds is healthy.

But I’m certainly happy for him that he’s doing well. Hard not to root for him.

That’s not totally true. It’s pretty much a RBBC process down there with the majority of rushes going to Conner.

[HollywoodSteel]

That’s not totally true. It’s pretty much a RBBC process down there with the majority of rushes going to Conner.

Well Edmonds is injured again so it looks like Conner will be the guy for awhile. I hope he does well.

[Steeler-in-west]

I wanted to keep him, he was the only good RB on the roster the last couple years. He always produced when healthy, maybe not cut out to be a feature back, but perfect in a 1-2

This. He would've been good insurance. I think he was at his best when we still had Bell.

[steelreserve]

RB is a fashionable position to downplay because "the game has changed," kind of like DT. People like to say that and feel all smart, like they're some wizened student of the game of football.

The truth is, a good player is going to make an impact if you get him on the field. It's true that the traits that make someone a "good" running back have changed over time, just as what makes a good DT has changed. Just as there is not as much use for an "anchor" run-stuffing nose tackle these days, there is not a lot of use for a straight-ahead, grind-it-out type of running back. Mostly, there is not a lot of room for one-dimensional players. But take a DT who is disruptive or an RB who keeps the defense off-guard, and they will have as much impact as any other position, no matter what you call them.

It's also likely that people see how even mediocre RBs can often put up decent numbers in today's NFL, and think there's no reason to make it a priority. And it's true that if you had the worst RB in the league, it will not be nearly as bad for you as having the worst QB in the league, or the worst line in the league. But an impact player is an impact player. If you can get one, you're much better off than if you had one of those middle-of-the-road RBs who basically just go as the offense in general goes.

[86WARD]

Well Edmonds is injured again so it looks like Conner will be the guy for awhile. I hope he does well.

Even when he was healthy it was still a RBBC. Regardless, I also hope Conner does well. Would’ve been a nice complement to Najee and would’ve rather kept him then some of the other guys on this roster.

[HollywoodSteel]

Even when he was healthy it was still a RBBC. Regardless, I also hope Conner does well. Would’ve been a nice complement to Najee and would’ve rather kept him then some of the other guys on this roster.

Yeah, I think Conner is at his best when he's part of a tandem and not counted on to be an every down back. He would be a nice luxury to have. I cringe every time Benny Snell gets a hand off. Especially last night on the first play after the change of a quarter when Harris doesn't actually need a break. What is up with that?

But Conner is probably better off in Arizona getting all of their TDs. I doubt he'd get nearly as much action here unless something happened to Najee.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Yeah, I think Conner is at his best when he's part of a tandem and not counted on to be an every down back. He would be a nice luxury to have. I cringe every time Benny Snell gets a hand off. Especially last night on the first play after the change of a quarter when Harris doesn't actually need a break. What is up with that?

But Conner is probably better off in Arizona getting all of their TDs. I doubt he'd get nearly as much action here unless something happened to Najee.

Snell got 6 yards on 2 carries, which is better than his normal compilations of 1 yard runs. But its actually better than Najee 2.8 YPC , so maybe Snell is the new feature RB by his stats??

[DesertSteel]

Snell got 6 yards on 2 carries, which is better than his normal compilations of 1 yard runs. But its actually better than Najee 2.8 YPC , so maybe Snell is the new feature RB by his stats??
Najee's YPC is a sore spot with me. Everyone seems to be giving it a pass, but it's a concern for me. Snell comparison notwithstanding. I need to see Najee get to 4+ before I get too excited.

[HollywoodSteel]

Najee's YPC is a sore spot with me. Everyone seems to be giving it a pass, but it's a concern for me. Snell comparison notwithstanding. I need to see Najee get to 4+ before I get too excited.

I noticed several plays where Najee was caught in the backfield due to failure by the O-line. Not sure if Barry Sanders could have gotten positive yardage, so I don’t think his low average is entirely his fault.

[Mojouw]

The "wasted pick" idea is not so much (at least for me) that RBs aren't really useful, but in context to the rest of a draft class.

Here is the RB class: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/running-backs-drafted-2021-nfl-draft/

So what is the gap between Harris and Williams? Or Harris and Hubbard?

I really thought Stevenson and Sermon would be a way to spend less draft capital on the position and achieve similar on the field results. So far...that is not a good opinion.

But then look back at Lacy and Bell. Lacy in the first was "wrong" especially when compared to Bell. Or look at the Chiefs at CEH. Wonder if they would like that pick back and take an OL or literally anyone on defense?

I still think the gap between the first RB selected in a class and the guys in the middle is not often large enough to justify the pick. The gap between the 2nd safety taken and the 5th safety taken is often far larger.

[Rotorhead]

I noticed several plays where Najee was caught in the backfield due to failure by the O-line. Not sure if Barry Sanders could have gotten positive yardage, so I don’t think his low average is not entirely his fault.

Pretty much this, when he gets a chance he tends to get positive yardage and pushes the pile and extra 3-4 yards. Would be nice to see his ypc when he isn’t hit behind or at the LOS.

[DesertSteel]

I noticed several plays where Najee was caught in the backfield due to failure by the O-line. Not sure if Barry Sanders could have gotten positive yardage, so I don’t think his low average is not entirely his fault.
Definitely not entirely, but I also see times when his vision fails him and he runs right into a closed lane.

[86WARD]

The "wasted pick" idea is not so much (at least for me) that RBs aren't really useful, but in context to the rest of a draft class.

Here is the RB class: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/running-backs-drafted-2021-nfl-draft/

So what is the gap between Harris and Williams? Or Harris and Hubbard?

I really thought Stevenson and Sermon would be a way to spend less draft capital on the position and achieve similar on the field results. So far...that is not a good opinion.

But then look back at Lacy and Bell. Lacy in the first was "wrong" especially when compared to Bell. Or look at the Chiefs at CEH. Wonder if they would like that pick back and take an OL or literally anyone on defense?

I still think the gap between the first RB selected in a class and the guys in the middle is not often large enough to justify the pick. The gap between the 2nd safety taken and the 5th safety taken is often far larger.

That’s hard to gauge based on the situation each back is drafted into and the 5 guys blocking up front for them. Put Najee in Los Angeles, Detroit, New England, Arizona, even Denver and he’s probably rushing for a lot more yards then he is in Pittsburgh. Put Hubbard or Williams in Pittsburgh and who knows what you have. Harris is running behind arguably one of the (if not the) worst run blocking line in the league.

[DesertSteel]

Williams is the best RB of this draft class.

[Rotorhead]

Williams is the best RB of this draft class.

Thanks for making me spit my coffee out, that is a good one . . . Oh, you were being serious

[Mojouw]

That’s hard to gauge based on the situation each back is drafted into and the 5 guys blocking up front for them. Put Najee in Los Angeles, Detroit, New England, Arizona, even Denver and he’s probably rushing for a lot more yards then he is in Pittsburgh. Put Hubbard or Williams in Pittsburgh and who knows what you have. Harris is running behind arguably one of the (if not the) worst run blocking line in the league.

Agreed. I don't have an answer. I suspect Harris performs better in this situation than the others. But how much better?

And is that gap more or less than the gap between Green and another center?

All in all, not a question that can be answered after 9 games.

[DesertSteel]

Thanks for making me spit my coffee out, that is a good one . . . Oh, you were being serious
You probably haven't watched him. He's another Nick Chubb. Clean that spill.

[Rotorhead]

Well I do love in Denver, so I have seen him a bit

[86WARD]

Agreed. I don't have an answer. I suspect Harris performs better in this situation than the others. But how much better?

And is that gap more or less than the gap between Green and another center?

All in all, not a question that can be answered after 9 games.

Maybe never answered. I think only one RB in the history of the game wouldn’t make a difference where he was placed.

[DesertSteel]

Well I do love in Denver, so I have seen him a bit
Well then we’ll just disagree if you think it’s a joke.

[teegre]

Agreed. I don't have an answer. I suspect Harris performs better in this situation than the others. But how much better?

And is that gap more or less than the gap between Green and another center?

All in all, not a question that can be answered after 9 games.

If the Steelers wanted Williams, it would have had to have been at 22 (Javonte would have replaced Najee as the R1 pick). It wouldn’t have changed the rest of the picks; so, it would be the same O-line and such. A simple swap.