One of the biggest questions going into training camp every season in the NFL is who will be on the chopping block... The Steelers find themselves in a good position with their running backs heading into the 2021 season and it looks like Najee Harris will be their main running back going forward. They also have Jaylen Samuels, Kalen Ballage, Trey Edmunds, Anthony McFarland Jr, and Benny Snell Jr. That is a ton of players at the running back position heading into Training Camp this season.
More than likely only three to four will make the Steelers team once training camp ends. So it looks like the Steelers will have a big battle on their hands in regards to the running back position. The safest player on the team will be Najee Harris. Every other running back will have to earn their spot on the roster going forward.
ESPN's Brooke Pryor thinks the veteran most likely to be cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers this season is Benny Snell Jr. This is surprising to me because I believe Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds time in Pittsburgh has run its course. Snell did show flashes when he was given the chance to play on the football field, but unfortunately, the Steeler's offense has been atrocious since Snell arrived in Pittsburgh thanks to Randy Fichtner.
In 2020 Snell had a monster game against the Giants but never seemed to get it going ever since that game. He wound up averaging only 3.3 rushing yards per carry with only four touchdowns. Overall the Steelers running game was bad no matter who was running the football in Pittsburgh last season, to be honest.
ESPN's Pryor believes Harris and Ballage will make the team in Pittsburgh. Obviously, the Steelers didn't draft Najee Harris in the first round just to let him go during his rookie season and I would expect Harris to get the bulk of the carries in 2021 too. Ballage is an underrated running back and Brooke feels he could be the one to push Snell out of Pittsburgh.
Personally, I would not cut Benny Snell Jr. in 2021. I believe the safe bet for the Steelers would be to walk into the 2021 season with Najee Harris, Kalen Ballage, Anthony McFarland Jr., and Benny Snell Jr. The Steelers typically love to carry many running backs on their roster during the season because of the wear and tear as the season goes on.
McFarland Jr. is expected to have a bigger role, Ballage could become the Steeler's backup, but I believe it would be a mistake to let Snell go at this point. Hold on to him and see what he can do with a new offensive coordinator going forward.
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