Steelers should replace James Conner with this player in the NFL Draft

With James Conner leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, the team could look to the NFL Draft to find their next feature back.

A year ago, the eventual AFC North champions did not have a first-round selection because it had been dealt in 2019 for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The franchise has not used a first-round pick on an offensive player since 2012 (guard David DeCastro) and hasn’t selected an offensive skill player on Day One since Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall in 2008.

But it may be time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to change their recent ways. Mike Tomlin’s club has had its issues running the football for the past 2.5 years and that’s being kind.

In 2018, the Black and Gold ranked next-to-last in the league in rushing offense, “improved” to 29th in ’19 and were at the very bottom this past season. Be it a lack of talent in the backfield, a deteriorating offensive front or just a lack of commitment by the team, the running game has been almost an afterthought for Tomlin’s club. And James Conner, the club’s primary back the past three seasons, is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

Travis Etienne could be the next great running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers

There’s now a new offensive coordinator in Matt Canada, promoted from quarterbacks coach to replace Randy Fichtner. But could there be some fresh young talent at the team’s disposal courtesy of the draft?

Conventional wisdom and numerous mock drafts have general manager Kevin Colbert opting for Alabama standout Najee Harris. He rolled up 3,419 yards from scrimmage and 50 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide and won the Doak Walker Award last year.

But will the talented performer be there when the Steelers pick at No. 24?

If Harris has already been gobbled up by another club, Clemson’s Travis Etienne has quite the four-year resume, especially when it comes to toting the rock. He amassed an ACC record of 4,952 yards and 70 scores on the ground in 55 games for Dabo Swinney’s squad. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound prospect could jumpstart the Steelers ground game immediately.

Of course, regardless of who the team brings in to bolster the backfield, there has to be a bigger commitment to the run. Balance can only aid veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh defense as well. So if Harris isn’t on the board for the Black and Gold, perhaps Tomlin and the Steelers can draft Etienne to inject some life into the struggling run game that can’t solely rely on Benny Snell Jr.