PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have nine picks in the 2014 NFL draft and this is the first in a series that looks at the nine positions they could address in less than two weeks. Keep in mind the Steelers are likely to draft two cornerbacks so they may not take a player at every position covered in this series.
Our first look is at running back:
Added: LeGarrette Blount
Lost: Jonathan Dwyer
Skinny: The Steelers will hammer teams with a 1-2 punch of Le'Veon Bell and Blount, who signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent, next season. They still need depth at the position and could use a speedy back -- and preferably one with kickoff return skills -- to complement Bell and Blount. The Steelers hosted running backs Lache Seastrunk of Baylor and Jerick McKinnon of Georgia State for pre-draft visits, and both would provide an element that the backfield lacks. Running backs have become devalued to the point that the Steelers can wait until after the fourth round to take one and still get a very good prospect. The team could also re-sign scatback LaRod Stephens-Howling to provide depth once he is close to full strength after coming back from the torn ACL he sustained last September.
Draft likelihood: Medium
Extra points
Last RB drafted by the Steelers: Bell, second round in 2013
Last RB drafted by the Steelers in the first round: Rashard Mendenhall, 2008
Last RB taken 15th overall in the draft: John L. Williams, Seattle, in 1986
RBs drafted under Kevin Colbert/Mike Tomlin: Six
RBs drafted under Colbert/Tomlin still with the Steelers: One
