Steelers Running Back Depth Heading Into Regular Season Play

Rookie Chris Rainey Needs To Prove He
Can Run The Ball in the NFL

-Mason Noland (@m_noland386)

I'm really not sure what to make of the situation the Steelers are facing at running back. In some ways I think it could be a very good position set, but there are sometimes I think it could be a weakness. I say this because the only truly proven player, Rashard Mendenhall, started the season on PUP and now that he's off, probably won't see the field until week five. While Isaac Redman has played extremely well when given the chance, he's never been the full time starter, so that's still unproven to me. The backs have looked good so far, so I hope they keep it up. Let's take a brief look one by one of each of them and see what we think.

Rashard Mendenhall - Modern Science is a wonderful thing. With the advancement in medical treatment, a torn ACL can be recovered from in less than 12 months (which still is amazing to me). I hope the burst he had will still be there when he can start game action. Mendenhall could look like a different player than what we've seen of him in previous seasons with Todd Haley's offense. I'm excited to see what he can do when he's fully cleared. I'm just glad he'll be able to help before week seven.

Isaac Redman - "Redzone" Redman became an instant fan favorite in training camp a few years ago. He's never truly been a true lead back and the first few games of the season will tell the story of whether he can be. He's recently said his hip is pain free, so hopefully its not something that sticks around all season. The performances he's put up as a starter and in spot duty show he has no issue toting the rock. I do, however, think he and Mendenhall can be a deadly 1-2 punch. I have said this before, and I think they can split carries and keep each other fresh for a long physical season.

Jonathan Dwyer - The man that needs to take full advantage of Mendenhall's few game hiatus. I have written this is probably a "now or never" season for him. He looked like a quality NFL starter in the preseason game against the Colts. He was running strong and showed good speed. He also looks to be in great shape, which has been his biggest knock. If he can provide Redman some relief and provide solid production as he has in the past with spot duty, the Steelers may have a decision to make between keeping Dwyer or Mendenhall when the season is over.

Baron Batch - I am hoping Baron Batch can be "Mewelde Moore part 2". He didn't look that great running the ball against the Colts, but what he provides in the passing game is why he's probably going to make the team. He's great at picking up the blitz and catching passes out of the backfield. He had a couple of very nice blocks last Sunday. His down field block that knocked two players off their feet to spring Antonio Brown for a touch down was a thing of beauty.  He also seems to be a player that needs the ball in space, not up the middle. I also think I saw him on every special teams unit. This goes with the Tomlinism "The more you can do, the more you can do." I believe he makes the team as a third down back and special teams player.

Will Johnson - The man who was battling David Johnson for the  fullback spot, and has won by default. I have written a little bit about him before. He's big and athletic. He's a former wide reciever and tight end. I read about he and Larry Foote colliding in practice several times, each one winning. He provides some speed for a big guy catching some passes as well as lead blocking.

Chris Rainey - The one person I was expecting more from thus far in the preseason has been Chris Rainey. Maybe Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley aren't trying to show their hand too much with him. He looked a little over matched in the Colts game. Maybe he should be a wide reciever, not a running back.  He also didn't look great in the return game. Maybe that's why they fired the special teams coach. Hopefully he can show some of the versatility in Pittsburgh that he did while playing at the University of Florida.

Jason Ford - I think Steelers Nation has found a new "camp player" to fall in love with. Jason Ford looked good in the Colts game, but remember, he was also playing against end of the roster players. I would like to see how he could do against first and second team players, not guys who will be looking for jobs soon. That's not a knock on him, I actually just want to see what he can do. Is he the next Duante Brown (who Jeff loved) or Willie Parker.

I'm hoping for great things from our running backs this year with Todd Haley providing good play calling and some more balance on offense. I expect Mendenhall and Redman to have great seasons. Neither has to be 1,200 yard backs if they both provide good production. I agree with Jeff's assessment that its imperative that the top three backs are Mendenhall, Redman and Dwyer.