The Pittsburgh Steelers entered this offseason with two running backs, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, hitting free agency, and while they were able to bring back Warren on a one-year, $5.35 million contract, Harris found a new home with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $5.25 million deal.
Pittsburgh also added Kenneth Gainwell and Evan Hull to a room that includes Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jonathan Ward and Aaron Shampklin.
At this point in the offseason, the Steelers could still use a true lead back, and while there are some interesting options still left on the free-agent market, they could turn their attention to the draft to address the need.
In his newest mock draft, the Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer projected that the Steelers will do just that and take Central Florida running back R.J. Harvey wth their third-round pick (No. 83).
Harvey, 24, played quarterback in high school at Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, before committing to Virginia as a quarterback for the 2019 season.
In 2020, Harvey transferred to UCF and moved to running back. Over his five years (four seasons due to a torn ACL) with the Golden Knights, he appeared in 41 games, rushing for 3,792 yards and 43 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per attempt. He also caught 61 passes for 720 yards and four more scores.
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At 5-foot-8 and 195 pounds, Harvey isn’t exactly an imposing back, but he could make a real difference in a backfield that’s looking for someone to step up and take the reins for the 2025 season.
No matter who is under center, they’ll need a stable running back and a reliable target they can dump the ball off to, and Harvey could help fill both needs in Arthur Smith’s offense, even as a smaller, Day-2 pick.
If they don’t want to go with a rookie, Warren and Patterson have seen plenty of action, and Gainwell can be a great receiving back in the right situation. There are also intriguing veterans still on the market, like former Chargers and Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins.
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