While the Pittsburgh Steelers are now enjoying their summer prior to Training Camp, we’re going to spend some time previewing the positions. From the locks to the guys who are just ‘camp bodies’ we’ll take a look at all of the guys competing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Running Backs
On the Roster: Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer, Max Hurleman, Kaleb Johnson, Lew Nichols, Jaylen Warren, Eli Heidenreich, Riley Nowakowski (FB)
What We Know: Let’s go ahead and pencil in Dowdle and Warren. Those are going to be the primary backs under Mike McCarthy. If there is a question here it’s how does McCarthy use Warren. He has familiarity with Dowdle who had over 1,000 yards in Dallas. Will Warren return the role he had behind Najee Harris as the change of pace guy or is he the primary guy? Either way these are your two bell cows in the Steelers’ offense.
I can also add that rookie Riley Nowakowski is going to be primarily a fullback. Using him the same way that Connor Heyward was used recently isn’t something I envision under McCarthy. He likes a more traditional fullback and that’s exactly what the team roster has him listed as. Therefore, I think a third tight end would give the offense three “true” tight ends versus what they had at times last year.
What We Don’t Know: Behind the duo of Dowdle and Warren, we have ourselves a mess of guys who offer different things. Who breaks free and earns a roster spot is the major unknown. Besides that, what type of third running back will McCarthy value? Whoever it is must be able to play Special Teams and will likely have to have versatility. Above all, this has to be a person who can also pick up the blitz too. Not having that ability is a serious red flag.
How It Shakes Out: Lew Nichols displayed a hard-running style during the preseason that garnered him some love from the fan base but he’s likely destined for the Practice Squad again. Max Hurleman is another guy who caught the attention of fans during the preseason, mostly as a receiver. I can see him being a guy that won’t go away easily but he’s unlikely to make the roster.
Travis Homer might be the most fascinating of the remaining backs. Over the last three seasons he has less than ten total touches on offense. Those were all with Chicago. His previous four seasons in Seattle he had 83 carries and 52 receptions largely in a reserve role. While he hasn’t been a factor in his most recent seasons, his Special Teams abilities will provide him an advantage over the other guys.
The hometown hero and Naval Academy graduate Eli Heidenreich is a guy the fan base will pull for more than any other. It’s worth noting that the Steelers have him listed as a ‘RB/WR’ and he’s the only guy with that designation. Is it therefore possible that he makes the roster as a sixth receiver? It is, but the numbers are stacked against him there too.
The real wild-card in all of this is Kaleb Johnson. A third round pick in 2025, his rookie season was largely one to forget. It was highlighted by a disastrous mistake on a kick return that cost the Steelers a game against the eventual Champion Seahawks. One mistake should not be the end of one’s career but it clearly seemed to affect the rest of his season. He appeared in 10 games with 28 total carries and just 69 yards. In other words, Mike Tomlin and his staff just didn’t have confidence in him. From everything I’ve been told, he’s doing all of the right things under the new staff but whether that translates to a roster spot is uncertain.
I always preface my picks with a comment about injuries because they’re going to happen in Camp and the Preseason. Those will no doubt dictate who makes the roster and who doesn’t. Pencil in Warren and Dowdle of course along with Nowakowski at fullback. As of right now, I’m going to stick with Johnson as the third RB. Keep in mind, this is fluid but I think his history as a bell cow helps his cause.
