Pittsburgh Steelers believe Dri Archer will be a ‘matchup problem’
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Kent State Golden Flashes’ running back Dri Archer with the 97th-overall selection in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the pick was mostly praised. Although at 5’8 and 173 pounds Archer obviously won’t be an every down player, most believe he can excel as a change of pace back and as a return specialist.
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When the Steelers take the field against the New York Giants Saturday night, Archer will get to show his stuff and the Steelers can’t wait to see what he can do.
“I will take notice during the kickoff, and as soon as Dri is in the game, I am going to take notice,” cornerback Ike Taylor said via Mark Kaboly of TribLive.com. “I am sure I am getting up to get a better look.”
Other teammates agree.
“I don’t think anybody can keep up with him. That’s a different kind of speed there,” linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. “That’s matchup problems right there with (defensive backs) and linebackers. That guy there gets in the open field and he’s a problem. Every time he has the ball in his hands, he can go yard.”
Archer is also excited himself.
“I just want to go out there and show the coaches that they can have trust in me, (that I) know my assignments, know what to do and go out there and execute,” Archer said. “They have trust but never enough until you show it in the game.
Archer had four kickoff return touchdowns in his last two seasons at Kent State.