Running Backs 2025

[Steeldrama]

My guy Najee

Saw him play many times on my trips over to T-Town

Kid is one of the most well-liked Tide players of the Nick Saban era.
Revered by the Crimson Tide faithful.

I wanted him to be a Steeler.
Willed it to happen.
Careful what you wish for indeed.

Yes, Najee can hang his hat on four straight 1,000 yard seasons (hollow)

But

Piss poor vision, poor offensive line play, and poor offensive coordinators helped make the Najee experience a mostly forgettable one.

Depending on whose Twitter feed you follow, sounds like Najee might be brought back.

I prefer he get overpaid elsewhere.

I’m sleeping a little better at night trying to think of the last Steelers’ running back to receive a 2nd contract with the team.

Bettis???

Leveon came perilously close

Anyway

Time for an upgrade.

Y’all like Jaylen Warren better than I do.

I prefer he take a backseat to a young stud or be a part of a committee.

I’m far from a draft expert, but I do read. I read this is a historically deep running back class.

While this year’s group may have the quantity, I don’t think it has near the quality of the 2017 draft class that boasted Christian McCaffery, Playoff Lenny, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin, James Conner, Joe Mixon, Kareem Hunt, and Aaron Jones (crazy deep group google it).

Again, what you and I would do to improve the Steelers’ running backs room will differ from what Tomlin will do, but let’s explore the Steelers’ options:

Some (unlikely) Trade Options

Run Hershel, Run

“How ‘Bout Them Cowboys!” The offseason is when dynasties are built. My guy Jimmy Johnson built his dynasty after ROBBING the Vikings in the colossally one-sided Hershel Walker trade way back in 1989. Just an insane haul that included three 1st, three 2nds and 4 viable players. MAYBE I trade that for the best QB in the league, but for Herschel Walker??? Saint Pete just shook his head when former Vikings GM Mike Lynn (RIP) walked up to the Pearly Gates, “Dude. WTF were you thinking?”

Norcross HS Legend

The number of running backs I trade for is exactly zero, but Saints running back Alvin Kamara has always been one of my favorite players to watch. He’s probably going to retire a Saint, but nobody should be untouchable on that crappy ass, cap strapped team.

It Didn’t Fit

“The Juice is loose.” A decade or so before the Herschel trade, the Bills traded HOF and Heisman Trophy winning running back OJ Simpson to the 49ers for 5 draft picks including a 1st and two 2nds. James Cook isn’t near the Georgia legend of Hershel Walker (nor a knife wielding murderer), but he is an exciting young runner who’s on the last year of his rookie deal. Buffalo could opt to put their money elsewhere.

R-O-N Approval Pending

STD’s guy Rhamondre Stevenson found himself splitting carries with Antonio Gibson last season. Not what the Pats had in mind when they extended his contract. Potential cut candidate would be a nice committee back.

The New York Back Exchange

“The Dukes are going to corner the entire frozen orange juice market!” Turn those machines back on indeed, Mortimer. The Jets don’t have many commodities, but they do have assets at the running back position. Home run hitter Breece Hall could be expendable with rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis showing they can play.

Duuuvaaaalll

Sooo Cringey. The perennially rebuilding Jags may look to deal Tank Bigsby or Travis Eitienne. Either would be a decent cog in an Uncle Artie RB committee.

Speaking of Cringey

"Run it back" There's that dumb saying again. Steelers' could bring back James Conner who they shouldn't have let go in the first place.

Speaking of Uncle Artie

Falcons rb Tyler Allgeier is stuck behind young star Bijan Robinson. Allgeier packs a wallop Najee can only dream of.

Some Blah Free Agents

• Aaron Jones- I’d do a one year deal with Senior Sombrero if the Vikes don’t want him back.
• Javonte Williams- A Russ buddy? Promising young back until brutal knee injury.
• Nick Chubb- Like Javonte, he’s going into year two post knee injury. I promise you Cool Shades digs this former ‘Dawg great.
• JK Dobbins- “All Day JK” entering year two post achilles surgery. Former farm team stud could be on Coach T’s radar.
• Ty Johnson- Versatile Bill is a weapon at receiver. Sleeper signing.
• Rico Dowdle- Nothing flashy about Uncle Rico, but he’s a solid rotation piece.
• Donta Foreman- part of that epic 2017 rb class. Old but still producing
• Kareem Hunt- part of that epic 2017 rb class. Old but still producing.
• AJ Dillion- Quadzilla but he’s nothing close to Saquon.

An Epic Draft Class

• Ashton Jeanty- I’ve seen him mocked as high as 6th to the Raiduhs. Is he THAT good?
• Omarion Hampton- Kiper has him going 12th to the Cowboys. Too rich for my blood.
• TreVeyon Henderson- Homerun hitter stayed on the field this year. In play with that 2nd round pick
• Quinshon Judkins- Other half of the dynamic duo for the National Champions. Tomlin will dig his “violence” so keep an eye on this one at some point on day 2.
• Dylan Sampson- Set TD record in a gimmicky Vols offense. He runs a 4.4 he goes day 2. Game Day story Tomlin will dig of him befriending a physically challenged kid on a trip to Africa.
• Bhayshul Tuten- Lotta Buzz around this big play Hokie. VA area code.
• Jaydon Blue- Another speed back that Tomlin wouldn’t know WTF to do with.
• Kaleb Johnson- Tomlin will like his size and production, but I don’t see anything special with this Hawkeye.
• Damien Martinez- Tackle breaking hammer that will be a day 3 steal.
• Cam Skattebo- “That’s how a white man runs the football” Instant yinzer cult hero. A true football player who runs the ball as if his very life depends on it.
• Ollie Gordon – How Mullet Mike Gundy kept his job this year I’ll never know. If you want to like Ollie, scrub tape from his first couple seasons at Stillwater.
• Jordan James- Underrated Duck. Day 3 bargain
• Devin Neal- More moves than Mae West type. Not the Kansas Comet but a fun player.
• Rocket Sanders- This powerful Cock will give Tomlin a hard on.
• Jarquez Hunter- “They made it for him special, it’s an 88 magnum.” “It shoots through schools.” Another quadzilla type that will just a soon run through a wall than around it.
• Woody Marks- From Stark-Vegas to LA, this Trojan is a pass catching warlord.
• Brashard Smith-SMU via Miami- Yet another pass catching option. This RB class is like Baskin Robbins. Sooo many flavors.
• Kalel Mullings-scUM- and yet another power back. Lots of them in this class.
• DJ Giddens- Look at the state of Kansas churning out the running backs.
• Trevor Etienne- The next tackle he breaks will be his first. A stiff breeze will knock this ‘Dawg over. No thanks.
• Kyle Monangai- Rutgers will have more than a couple kids drafted this year
• RJ Harvey- Productive UCF record setter.
• Montrell Johnson- Violent runner down in the Swamp.
• LeQuint Allen- Jim Brown he aint, but a versatile productive player for the Orange.
• Kory Kiner- LSU transfer a pinball wizard for the Bearcats.
• Tajh Brooks-Najee’s long lost cousin. Violent plodding workhorse that Tomlin will put a 1st round grade on.

Thanks as always for reading. Please comment on the running backs you like and those you don’t. So what do we think? Najee coming back? Draft a rookie stud? Will Tomlin ignore this deep class altogether and roll with a veteran by committee featuring Cordarrelle Patterson?

[Deebo]

I will throw my TV through a window if the Steelers take a RB with their 1st.

And Jeannty is a fine pick around the 3rd round. He doesn't look like a slam dunk NFL player to me but I've been wrong plenty of times before

[Ice]

Henderson in the 2nd, Monangai in the 4th. There's your young, B1G version of Detroit's backfield. If it's got to be a run first team, than there HAS to be a threat of real chunk plays out of the backfield, or it's just gonna bog down and lead to punts and (maybe) FGs.

I'd say re-sign Warren or add a cut like Stephenson, but Coach T would just waste carries with them. So we'll probably sign both.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Stevenson woulda been a great Steeler RB when he came out

Not interested now

If Hampton is on the board in the first he damn well better be the Steelers pick


Hampton Martinez and Warren together probably win a playoff game or two

Either by themselves in this offense will be crushed at some point. Gotta have all 3

Most of the RBs listed above have zero chance of doing anything dominant in the Steelers offense

Khan is a dum dum
Tomlin is a dum dum
Rooney is a dum dum
Smith is a dum dum

We need a mismatch unit somewhere to have any hope

If it’s at RB at least the 4 stooges running this team wouldn’t have to think too much

[Ice]

Agree that two are probably needed. Disagree on the need to draft one R1 (though you're right on the mental capacity of the brass, so they'll probably do it), and wholeheartedly disagree on the "it has to be a slightly more athletic fatback in order to work in Pittsburgh" philosophy. It's what we do (so the moron brass might prove you right, but what does that say about the philosophy?), but it's stupid. The Eagles and Lions' rushing attacks aren't feared because of plodding power backs. Nobody facing the Lions is game planning to take away Montgomery, though he might be better than anything we have on the roster. They're awake scared of Gibbs. Same with the Eagles and Barkley. Get the best version of that you can get, then go for a Martinez or Monangai (you've been a big Rutgers guy in the past, can't see why you're not in on this dude) later, and there you have it. It's not a real mismatch unit without a big play threat, and don't bring up Baltimore/Henry, their big play threat is Jackson.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Agree that two are probably needed. Disagree on the need to draft one R1 (though you're right on the mental capacity of the brass, so they'll probably do it), and wholeheartedly disagree on the "it has to be a slightly more athletic fatback in order to work in Pittsburgh" philosophy. It's what we do (so the moron brass might prove you right, but what does that say about the philosophy?), but it's stupid. The Eagles and Lions' rushing attacks aren't feared because of plodding power backs. Nobody facing the Lions is game planning to take away Montgomery, though he might be better than anything we have on the roster. They're awake scared of Gibbs. Same with the Eagles and Barkley. Get the best version of that you can get, then go for a Martinez or Monangai (you've been a big Rutgers guy in the past, can't see why you're not in on this dude) later, and there you have it. It's not a real mismatch unit without a big play threat, and don't bring up Baltimore/Henry, their big play threat is Jackson.

I don’t see many options in the 1st that the Steelers will utilize well other than Hampton

Hampton looks real good to elite IMO

Starks in the first I think he has Polamalu/Reed potential…..

Very simply I have zero faith in the Steelers building a D good enough to really take advantage of him and right now and at least the next 2-3 years he would be easy for offenses to avoid

Anyone else in the first I really doubt their elite potential

I will check out Monangai again

The Steelers have tried scat backs several times under Tomlin

All of them were complete and total failures

Does anyone really believe somehow this is gonna be the year the Steelers offense evolves to being able to use various RB types effectively ???? Lolololz

Khan is a complete dum dum and puppet
Smith is a complete dum dum and puppet
Rooney is a dum dum who has zero real understanding of football
Tomlin is by far the most adept and knowledgeable of that group and he’s a dum dum too

Think about that

Hampton Martinez and Warren you could at least imagine having some viability past December

If I thought that there was a guaranteed difference maker on the DL in the first I might consider it

I just think it’s a fairly deep draft for DL

Truthfully I’d like the Steelers to grab two good ones at that position group as well but later

[Ice]

I can safely say I've watched every snap of Henderson's Buckeye career, and I think he's got enough juice between the tackles or in tight outside zones where you wouldn't need to use him as a situational player on sweeps/tosses and passes, and he pass protects at a high level and with genuine enthusiasm for the job when he's asked to. Watching the play, against the best teams in the country, for three years, he's closer to Gibbs or Barkley (not a one-to-one equivalency, but he's got top-end speed, burst, vision and overall talent to rival Gibbs, at least) than he is to Dri Archer or Chris Rainey. They said Gibbs wasn't a full time type until Montgomery went down, and he carried the load spectacularly in relief.

We do what we do in the run game, sure, but the Lions and Eagles do it SO MUCH better, and it's both Xs and Os and Jimmies and Joes that are stopping us. We are so full of crap calling ourselves a "run-first, smashmouth team" in 2025, it's sad.

You'll like Monangai, he's a hoss. As a do-it-all type guy, I'd take him over Judkins for value and where he'll be available in the draft, and it hurts to say that because I love Q.

Like Drama said in the OP, great RB draft.

I'll definitely spend some more time looking at Hampton. If he's got something resembling NFL breakaway speed, I could change my tune quickly, but I hate doing it in R1. Would be great if he and Jeanty were off the board by 21 and the Steelers were forced to look elsewhere.

[bradshaw2ben]

I can safely say I've watched every snap of Henderson's Buckeye career, and I think he's got enough juice between the tackles or in tight outside zones where you wouldn't need to use him as a situational player on sweeps/tosses and passes, and he pass protects at a high level and with genuine enthusiasm for the job when he's asked to. Watching the play, against the best teams in the country, for three years, he's closer to Gibbs or Barkley (not a one-to-one equivalency, but he's got top-end speed, burst, vision and overall talent to rival Gibbs, at least) than he is to Dri Archer or Chris Rainey. They said Gibbs wasn't a full time type until Montgomery went down, and he carried the load spectacularly in relief.

We do what we do in the run game, sure, but the Lions and Eagles do it SO MUCH better, and it's both Xs and Os and Jimmies and Joes that are stopping us. We are so full of crap calling ourselves a "run-first, smashmouth team" in 2025, it's sad.

You'll like Monangai, he's a hoss. As a do-it-all type guy, I'd take him over Judkins for value and where he'll be available in the draft, and it hurts to say that because I love Q.

Like Drama said in the OP, great RB draft.

I'll definitely spend some more time looking at Hampton. If he's got something resembling NFL breakaway speed, I could change my tune quickly, but I hate doing it in R1. Would be great if he and Jeanty were off the board by 21 and the Steelers were forced to look elsewhere.

I think Henderson is a not-quite-as-fast Willie Parker. That's neither a knock nor an endorsement. Willie was able to get by even though he wasn't the most natural pass-catcher... because he was so damn fast.

[Ice]

It's an apt comparison. I think he may be a little bit shiftier than WP, but it's the hole in his straight RB game compared to Gibbs and Barkley. He's been a find a crease and jet type back. I'd hope the receiving end could improve with more and varied usage. He's looked good on the occasional wheel route, but not the most natural catcher in the class, for sure. I always thought execution and design (RB needs to be standing flat-footed in the flat before pass is thrown) had something to do with Willie (and Jerome)'s lackluster receiving, too.

[SteelerDayTrader]

The Steelers are going to continue to run between guards

The Steelers are going to continue to be very predictable

The Steelers are going to continue running the ball far more than they should

The Steelers are going to continue being exactly who we’ve all seen them be continually for many years running now.

If I was coaching the team I’d have zero problem making Henderson successful repeatedly

The Steelers will run him directly up weak ass marshmallow man Frazier’s ass cheeks over and over and over again. He won’t survive that or be successful

I think Hampton has the body type build to survive being a Steelers RB AND elite level talents. That’s rare. Once every 5-10 years rare.

I’m not blaming all the other listed RBs

The problem is the Steelers. AND. That’s not gonna change anytime soon

Hampton in the 1st
Martinez in the 4th
And Warren

Means at least we have a chance for the next few years

[Ice]

The Steelers are going to continue to run between guards

The Steelers are going to continue to be very predictable

The Steelers are going to continue running the ball far more than they should

The Steelers are going to continue being exactly who we’ve all seen them be continually for many years running now.

If I was coaching the team I’d have zero problem making Henderson successful repeatedly

The Steelers will run him directly up weak ass marshmallow man Frazier’s ass cheeks over and over and over again. He won’t survive that or be successful

I think Hampton has the body type build to survive being a Steelers RB AND elite level talents. That’s rare. Once every 5-10 years rare.

I’m not blaming all the other listed RBs

The problem is the Steelers. AND. That’s not gonna change anytime soon

Hampton in the 1st
Martinez in the 4th
And Warren

Means at least we have a chance for the next few years

It's not that I don't know our coaches are brain-dead cavemen who are willfully out of touch with what successful, 2025 football looks like, even within the confines of their so-called smash mouth, run first, tough persona, it's just that until preseason starts, I can at least hope. Should probably be beyond it now, I know.

[SteelerDayTrader]

The Steelers are going to continue to run between guards

The Steelers are going to continue to be very predictable

The Steelers are going to continue running the ball far more than they should

The Steelers are going to continue being exactly who we’ve all seen them be continually for many years running now.

If I was coaching the team I’d have zero problem making Henderson successful repeatedly

The Steelers will run him directly up weak ass marshmallow man Frazier’s ass cheeks over and over and over again. He won’t survive that or be successful

I think Hampton has the body type build to survive being a Steelers RB AND elite level talents. That’s rare. Once every 5-10 years rare.

I’m not blaming all the other listed RBs

The problem is the Steelers. AND. That’s not gonna change anytime soon

Hampton in the 1st
Martinez in the 4th
And Warren

Means at least we have a chance for the next few years

It's not that I don't know our coaches are brain-dead cavemen who are willfully out of touch with what successful, 2025 football looks like, even within the confines of their so-called smash mouth, run first, tough persona, it's just that until preseason starts, I can at least hope. Should probably be beyond it now, I know.

Lolololz

Lucy + Football + Charlie Brown = All of us

[jebrick]

If you like Najee, just draft Devin Neal in the 5th or 6th round and you get Najee with better vision. Slap the same number on him and the Steeler fans will think love it.

[gojira5150]

Starks in the first I think he has Polamalu/Reed potential…..

Very simply I have zero faith in the Steelers building a D good enough to really take advantage of him and right now and at least the next 2-3 years he would be easy for offenses to avoid

I would jump for joy if Steelers drafted Starks. If they are in striking distance, Steelers need to make a move up as they did with Troy P. Starks is Elite as was Troy P & Ed Reed.

[Ice]

If you like Najee, just draft Devin Neal in the 5th or 6th round and you get Najee with better vision. Slap the same number on him and the Steeler fans will think love it.

Ideally, a bigger upgrade than that would be nice.

[jebrick]

If you like Najee, just draft Devin Neal in the 5th or 6th round and you get Najee with better vision. Slap the same number on him and the Steeler fans will think love it.

Ideally, a bigger upgrade than that would be nice.

But if you LOVE Najee and can't live without him.

[cop1211]

If Caleb Johnson is there he’s the Steelers pick in the 2nd.
I’d go with either of the Ohio State backs.

[Steeldrama]

Shout out to Rocket Sanders

One fast Cock

*Fastest top speeds by RBs during 40 yd dash per Next Gen Stats

Raheim Sanders - 23.55 MPH
TreVeyon Henderson - 23.38 MPH
Brashard Smith - 23.27 MPH
Jaydon Blue - 23.19 MPH
RJ Harvey - 23.07 MPH
Bhayshul Tuten - 22.86 MPH

[SteelerDayTrader]

Shout out to Rocket Sanders

One fast Cock

*Fastest top speeds by RBs during 40 yd dash per Next Gen Stats

Raheim Sanders - 23.55 MPH
TreVeyon Henderson - 23.38 MPH
Brashard Smith - 23.27 MPH
Jaydon Blue - 23.19 MPH
RJ Harvey - 23.07 MPH
Bhayshul Tuten - 22.86 MPH

What’s Sanders 40 ?

He made himself some serious cash with that speed

[Steeldrama]

Shout out to Rocket Sanders

One fast Cock

*Fastest top speeds by RBs during 40 yd dash per Next Gen Stats

Raheim Sanders - 23.55 MPH
TreVeyon Henderson - 23.38 MPH
Brashard Smith - 23.27 MPH
Jaydon Blue - 23.19 MPH
RJ Harvey - 23.07 MPH
Bhayshul Tuten - 22.86 MPH

What’s Sanders 40 ?

He made himself some serious cash with that speed

6'0 217 official weigh in

4.46
1.55 10 split
36.5 Vert

[Ice]

I'd still like a faster back, but Judkins with a 9.88/10 RAS and a 4.48 40 at 220, with the tape he has, probably deserves the "Steelers-type back" designation at this point. I'd be OK with that package in R2 if they reached.

[CKSteeler]

I don't want the team to pay Najee, as there's no point...

But something tells me that some team is going to bring him in and have him drop weight. They'll use him in the passing game. They'll employ a man blocking scheme rather than the zone shit they tried to run with him here.

And he'll suddenly look like an above average RB. Kind of like he did in his first year with Ben.

I really thought they'd go the Leveon route with him and have him drop weight after his rookie year, but no...someone or something convinced the guy to gain bulk as if he had a step to lose.

[Steelafan77]

Warren resigned 1 year $5.3Mil
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id ... len-warren

[steelmann58]

They gave him a second round tender. Now the draft will produce an explosive Back

[franco32]

My desires are a back with speed, change of direction, and strength with pass catching and blocking capabilities. I'm not asking for a lot

Omarion seems to lack change of direction in the games I watched. Henderson worries me that his frame is a little too light and he will break in a Steelers offense. Judkins is really close. I wish he was a wee bit faster but he's fast enough.

I actually think that dimwit Arthur Smith DOES want more outside runs. That's why my impression is that we'll draft a back with the ability to get the edge.

[jebrick]

My desires are a back with speed, change of direction, and strength with pass catching and blocking capabilities. I'm not asking for a lot

Omarion seems to lack change of direction in the games I watched. Henderson worries me that his frame is a little too light and he will break in a Steelers offense. Judkins is really close. I wish he was a wee bit faster but he's fast enough.

I actually think that dimwit Arthur Smith DOES want more outside runs. That's why my impression is that we'll draft a back with the ability to get the edge.

IMHO, Judkins is Najee(less vision more taking on tacklers) with 4.4 speed. I would rather have Henderson who has the vision to make those cuts and really break off some big runs.

[franco32]

My desires are a back with speed, change of direction, and strength with pass catching and blocking capabilities. I'm not asking for a lot

Omarion seems to lack change of direction in the games I watched. Henderson worries me that his frame is a little too light and he will break in a Steelers offense. Judkins is really close. I wish he was a wee bit faster but he's fast enough.

I actually think that dimwit Arthur Smith DOES want more outside runs. That's why my impression is that we'll draft a back with the ability to get the edge.

IMHO, Judkins is Najee(less vision more taking on tacklers) with 4.4 speed. I would rather have Henderson who has the vision to make those cuts and really break off some big runs.

I'm going to go back and look. I don't remember Judkins having vision that was that poor. (Najee routinely ran into OL backsides.) There is something about Henderson that worries me. Could be the skinnier legs or frame, but he strikes me as someone who will be injured a lot.

[SteelerDayTrader]

With Gainwell and Warren in place I’d like to see the Steelers trade down and grab both Martinez and Mafah

Martinez Mafah Gainwell Warren would be a pretty good unit that could excel in multiple looks and mismatches

[bradshaw2ben]

The Steelers are going to continue to run between guards

The Steelers are going to continue to be very predictable

The Steelers are going to continue running the ball far more than they should

The Steelers are going to continue being exactly who we’ve all seen them be continually for many years running now.

If I was coaching the team I’d have zero problem making Henderson successful repeatedly

The Steelers will run him directly up weak ass marshmallow man Frazier’s ass cheeks over and over and over again. He won’t survive that or be successful

I think Hampton has the body type build to survive being a Steelers RB AND elite level talents. That’s rare. Once every 5-10 years rare.

I’m not blaming all the other listed RBs

The problem is the Steelers. AND. That’s not gonna change anytime soon

Hampton in the 1st
Martinez in the 4th
And Warren

Means at least we have a chance for the next few years

Faster James Conner. See crease, hit upfield, don’t divert until someone hits you. Describes both their games.

Nearly zero elusiveness but you’re right that it would work pretty well for a team obsessed with running the ball in adverse situations. Najee’s size but with actual speed and vision.

[Ice]

I'm willing to invoke the Rhamondre Stevenson Clause and trust STD on Martinez and/or Hampton.