QBs and Running Backs Were on Display for the Steelers

When you are in need of quarterbacks and running backs then Saturday at the NFL Combine is going to be an extremely busy day. That’s where the Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves yesterday in Indianapolis.

The Quarterbacks

Here’s what I absolutely know; Jalen Milroe will be pressured into becoming a running back. How short and mid-level accuracy just isn’t there and that’s a damn shame because with his athleticism and arm strength he would be really enticing in the middle rounds but yesterday was a struggle. He has impressed with interviews and even his hand-size miraculously grew since the Senior Bowl.

I’m a Jaxson Dart fan simply because I like his competitiveness and the way the ball jumps out of his hand. He performed well but didn’t really do anything to make anyone say that he needs to be in the conversation for best QB. Could he be QB3 behind Cam Ward and Shadeur Sanders? It’s definitely possible.

Will Howard is an interesting option. Great size and better athleticism than given credit for but his accuracy was questionable. Lots of missed throws last night.

The guy who surprised me a bit was Brady Cook from Missouri. He was solid in everything he did, has some athleticism and he’s known for taking care of the football which I always like.

The Running Backs

There were plenty of guys to like and let me say this regarding the Steelers. There are rumors that they may attempt to bring Najee Harris back. My question is why? After what I saw yesterday there are going to be cheaper and more explosive options available.

Granted, there are also things like pass blocking, the type of person you are and more but based on what I saw yesterday and on film, the Steelers can get better.

Omarion Hampton is a guy I like. He runs low to the ground and is powerful but he also has speed to pull away too. Being a threat as a receiver helps as well.

Quinshon Judkins might be the best combination of power and speed. He’s 6’0” and 220lbs and will pound the heck out of a defense but he can also break away with impressive speed too. Like Hampton, he could be there at 21 but probably not at 52.

If you’re looking for pure speed then Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten is in the conversation. He ripped off a 4.32 forty and also won the vertical jump as well… Texas’ Jayden Blue also burned up the turf and had an overall good day at the Combine and keep an eye Kansas State’s D.J. Giddens. He excelled in everything he did and would be a multiple threat guy from the backfield.

The two guys I was really curious about were Kaleb Johnson from Iowa and Devin Neal from Kansas. Neal is very similar to Najee Harris in that he was highly productive, lacks top-end speed but catches the ball well. Johnson was also a productive runner at Iowa and has all the physical attributes you look for but I’m not sure he’s a three-down running back. Pass protection is a concern and despite his size he tends to be more of that of a finesse-type back. Both of these guys strike me as “Steeler-type” guys but we shall see.

I’m not going to make any declarations here but I really think one of the above running backs ends up in Black and Gold.