Draft Profile: Dylan Sampson
Running Back, Tennessee
5’8, 200 lbs.
Projected: Round 5-6
As all Steelers fans know Najee Harris has moved on to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Steelers have traded their second-round pick this year for DK Metcalf. Also, as of now, we still have no idea who our quarterback will be because Aaron Rodgers is walking the beach somewhere searching for answers. Not sure if a crab or possibly a seagull will provide some sound advice, but who am I to judge.
So, I said all of that to tell you this: the Steelers have a lot of needs and now have less draft capital to fix them. Tomlin and Khan seem to be laser-focused on taking a defensive lineman in the first round. To a fault in my honest opinion. They should be considering all of their potential options. Why? I’ll give you a hint- it rhymes with Marty Durns. The defensive line is a valid concern after losing Larry Ogunjobi in free agency. They have a couple other guys on the roster but nothing that strikes fear in the heart of opposing offenses. But what about running back?
Jaylen Warren was in a position to be featured more in the Steelers’ offense last season only to end up battling through injuries. Suffice to say I am not confident that he is an every-down back. They added Kenneth Gainwell to the room, but he is also not built to be a featured back. The Steelers can look to the draft to add another bruiser to compliment Warren. Or they could go a different route and utilize a running back by committee approach. This is where Dylan Sampson could fit right in. Side note- he has already had a top 30 visit with the Steelers.
Strengths:
Sampson had a breakout year for Tennessee in 2024 and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He sat behind other running backs the two seasons prior. At the time of the draft he will be under 21 years old so there is plenty of tread on the tires. Sampson is a compact, solidly built runner with excellent burst and speed. He runs very hard, has good contact balance, and falls forward when being brought down. While he can run outside, Sampson is also a dangerous inside runner with shifty, short area moves that help him weave through traffic. Sampson gets to top speed in a hurry, making him capable of picking up yards in chunks. He is also known for his academic prowess and work in the community.
Weaknesses:
At only 5’8, Sampson is below average size for an NFL running back. Despite his explosiveness, he was not utilized much in the passing game at Tennessee. There are unanswered questions about his hands and route-running ability. Sampson will need work in pass blocking and blitz pickup. Pre-snap recognition and having an idea where blitzes may be coming from seem to be lacking. The biggest focus will need to be on his ball security. Sampson has had some fumbles, and he allowed the ball to be ripped out of his hands at times. The rip has become more of a focus for NFL defenders so improving Sampson’s ball security is a must.
How he fits:
For the past several seasons- probably since Willie Parker- the Steelers have been lacking a true homerun threat in the backfield. Yes, the Steelers are known for grinding out yards and controlling the clock, but in today’s NFL speed kills. Sampson is a great inside runner but also possesses the ability to take it to the house. He is a one cut and go runner which decreases the odds of getting hit in the backfield for a loss. While he is only 5’8, he is solidly built at 200 lbs. and may be able to handle a full workload. If the Steelers do not use a higher pick on a running back, I’m convinced that Sampson will be a steal in later rounds.
Player Comp:
Ok- just hear me out. My player comp for Dylan Sampson is Ray Rice– based solely on his playing style. They are both smaller, compact runners that are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Despite a smaller stature, Ray Rice was not just a third down back. Sampson runs hard like Rice did, and while he will not necessarily run over a linebacker he will fight for extra yards. He is shifty in space, hard to keep hold of, and if he breaks loose is a threat to go the distance.
Conclusion:
The three-headed attack of Warren, Gainwell, and Sampson is an interesting thought. All three are capable of chunk plays, and the Steelers would no longer be lacking the home run threat they’ve been missing for so long. With this draft having such a deep running back class, the Steelers can address more pressing needs early. The long-term plan seems to be finding a bridge quarterback this season and their franchise guy in the 2026 draft. Can you imagine a running back room full of speed, DK Metcalf, another year of experience for a young offensive line, and adding a franchise quarterback? A respectable offense is something we have been missing for years now and maybe- just maybe we are headed in the right direction.
