5 players who Steelers need to be great in 2020
1. James Conner
The Steelers coaching staff has complete confidence in James Conner’s ability to be their go-to guy at the running back position. To justify their belief, Conner needs to stay healthy for a full 16-game slate in 2020.
If he does, there’s no reason to think he can’t be very productive. He may not be a star at any one particular thing, but he’s above average in all aspects of being an NFL running back. He’s never going to replace what Le’Veon Bell game this offense in his prime, but he can give Pittsburgh 80 percent of that production without any of the headache.
In a perfect world, the Steelers could pencil him in for 200 carries and 70 receptions this year. If that happens, their offense is going to bounce back in a big way from the doldrums they experienced in 2019. Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell give the team solid depth, but Conner has to be the No. 1 running back to maximize this offensive’s output.
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The return of Roethlisberger is going to get all of the headlines in Pittsburgh this year, but getting Conner back to full health may be just as important to the team’s hopes of making a lengthy playoff run. His steady production is vital in this team’s quest to keep the chains moving. That gives the team’s passing game more opportunities to hit big plays down the field. Conner must be great for the Steelers in 2020.