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Pittsburgh Steelers free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs with head coach Mike Tomlin against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs with head coach Mike Tomlin against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 26-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 26-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

1. RB Kenyan Drake (Arizona Cardinals)

In 2018, Mike Tomlin’s team finished next-to-last in the NFL in rushing yards per game. One season later, the Steelers were 29th in the league in rushing. This past season, the club was at the very bottom of the NFL in rushing yardage while only four teams totaled fewer attempts.

In Pittsburgh’s first six games, the club ran for 100-plus yards five times and totaled at least 25 running plays in all but one game. In their final 11 outings, including the playoff loss to the Browns, Tomlin’s club failed to reach the century mark on the ground 10 times and ran the ball less than 20 times on six occasions.

James Conner has struggled to stay healthy and may not be back in 2021. Benny Snell Jr. has shown flashes on occasions and 2020 Anthony McFarland didn’t get a lot of opportunities in his rookie campaign. The team has the 24th-overall pick in April’s draft and a running back could be on their radar.

More fansided.com: 2020 NFL power rankings: Final regular season edition

If the team does decide to go the veteran route, could Cardinals’ running back Kenyan Drake be in their plans. He comes off a career year in carries (239), rushing yards (955) and touchdowns on the ground (10). He played for Arizona under the transition tag in 2020. But he could be a solid addition if made available.

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