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Study: Which Draft-Eligible Running Backs Can Pittsburgh Trust Most?

Published

12 months ago

April 8, 2025

Study: Which Draft-Eligible Running Backs Can Pittsburgh Trust Most?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a need to fill at running back, and the 2025 draft class has plenty of quality players at the position. Pittsburgh prides itself as an offense that takes care of the football, with avoiding fumbles as a rusher obviously part of that equation.

Today, I wanted to provide and examine 2024 fumble rates for draft RBs who were at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, including rush attempts for quantity context:

For starters, we see that one player stood out from the pack negatively: Texas RB Jaydon Blue. While he is a big-play threat who would be refreshing to see pan out in Pittsburgh, the Steelers’ priority in taking care of the football doesn’t ideally align with him on paper. A whopping five fumbles was most of all 31 qualifiers, on just 135 carries (26th).

If the Steelers choose matching speed, two other players with sub 4.4 40-yard dash times were SMU’s Brashard Smith and Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo. They didn’t top the fumble rates, instead landing closer to the mean on above-average attempts last season. All three project as Day 2/3 prospects, where most expect Pittsburgh to address the position.

Three players land on the top right with no fumbles in 2024. Kyle Monangai of Rutgers had the most carries of them (256, sixth), followed by Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (240, seventh) and Oregon’s Jordan James (233, eighth). As anticipated, the Steelers have shown interest in all three. Though he has less athleticism, Johnson fits the mold of past Steelers lead backs best.

This would likely require the highest draft investment, but Pittsburgh lacks a second-round pick (currently) where several expect him to go. Speaking of early projections, a few stand out. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton had only one fumble on the fourth-most attempts (281), ranking eighth in fumble rate, impressively.

The Steelers have also eyed Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State. Both land on the top left of the visual, with plus fumble rates on lesser opportunities in their committee backfield. Important context and matches the role they’d play in the Steel City. I’d vote Hampton or Judkins, both of whom are big backs with respectable speed.

Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks also had an above-the-mean fumble rate, but on much more volume (third-most carries). Interestingly, Pittsburgh hasn’t shown much interest to date, but I like him as a later-round option.

Four players complete the above-average results: Syracuse’s Lequint Allen Jr., Kansas’ Devin Neal, Clemson’s Phil Mafah, and UCF’s RJ Harvey. Mafah has the Steelers’ attention most and also maxed the scales at the position at 234 pounds. However, speed and lack of athletic testing are a concern for the Day 3 prospect.

Here’s the complete list of players with positive fumble rates but below-average carries: Henderson, Judkins, Michigan’s Kalel Mullings, USC’s Woody Marks, Miami’s Damien Martinez, Delaware’s Marcus Yarns, and Ole Miss’ Ulysses Bentley IV. The linked players are largely late-round projections, with Martinez arguably a worthy Day 2 pick.

Players on the bottom right of the visual (high volume, below-average fumble rates) didn’t stray too far from the mean, encouragingly. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is this year’s top RB prospect, and he led the group with a whopping 375 attempts (second place was 294). Four fumbles, though, landed him just below the mean among his peers.

Here’s the rest of that list: Skattebo, Smith, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, and Cincinnati’s Corey Kiner. The latter was barely above the average number of attempts (204), seemingly an undrafted possibility. Skattebo and Sampson project higher than Smith (Day 3).

In regard to this article, here is the list of players you’d want to avoid (low attempts, high fumble rate):

Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II
Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter
South Carolina’s Rocket Sanders
Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten
Arkansas’ Ja’Quinden Jackson
Georgia’s Trevor Etienne
Michigan’s Donovan Edwards
Texas’ Jaydon Blue

Gordon, Tuten, and Blue have garnered the most Steelers interest of this tier. They each have nice traits, but fumble rate from their 2024 season isn’t one of them, and I would avoid them with stacked depth in this RB class.

For context, former Steelers RB Najee Harris had 252 attempts and two fumbles his final college season. That would’ve landed him at seventh in carries and 16th in fumble rate in this study. Jaylen Warren remains in Pittsburgh and had a very comparable 256 attempts with two fumbles. This may suggest that running backs with average fumble rates (or better) may be who Pittsburgh targets.

To close, I will list those players once again in order of various projections: Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson, Devin Neal, RJ Harvey, Damien Martinez, Kalel Mullings, Kyle Monangai, Tahj Brooks, Marcus Yarns, LeQuint Allen Jr., Jordan James, Woody Marks, Phil Mafah, and Ulysses Bentley IV.

While fumbles are just one piece of the puzzle, it’s an important one to how Pittsburgh plays. I personally hope the Steelers select one from this list and can’t wait to see how it pans out later this month.

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Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely one of the teams that will be heavily considering a wide receiver when it comes to their very valuable first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the top options, and considered by many analysts to be the best overall, is Ohio State Buckeye alum Carnell Tate. Tate is a three-year starter at Ohio State, and the top wide receiver selection is likely to be between him and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

While at Ohio State, Tate was a teammate of current Steelers backup quarterback Will Howard, and was asked about him during his workout at Ohio State’s Pro Day.

“Oh, Will isn’t giving me no tips. He’s probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh,” Tate said.

“I’m happy for him. I wish him nothing but the best. Love that guy to death,” Tate also said.

Howard would not be the first person to try to get their former teammate to join them from college to their professional team, with one big example being Derek Carr and Davante Adams a couple years prior.

If Tate were to join the Steelers, he would be the third member of the 2024 Ohio State National Championship-winning team to play for the Steelers simultaneously, with Howard and surging young linebacker Jack Sawyer having played on the Steelers in 2025.

Will Tate Go To Pittsburgh?

Tate is quite unlikely to end up with the Steelers, as he is expected to be among the first players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the Steelers having the No. 21 selection, they would need to make a significant trade forward to likely jump into the zone where Tate would be available.

“I think I’m a great football player,” Tate said about going into the NFL. “My speed … the combine is one time, but ultimately I’m a great football player. When you put the pads on, it’s another level.”

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws the ball to wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

They could probably do that, due to the fact that they have 12 selections across the seven rounds. At this point in time, it does not see they love any particular player enough to make that big of a trade up, but trades into the late end of the top ten are quite common. Yet, their move to land Michael Pittman Jr. would make it significantly less likely that they make such a move to get another wide receiver.

While at Ohio State, Tate was always in the top half of their wide receiver room, yet played among some of the most talented wide receivers in recent history in current NFL player Emeka Egbuka and young talent Jeremiah Smith. He finished his final collegiate season with All-Big Ten honors, as well as well as being a second team All-American.

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Published

20 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.

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Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush