One of the biggest issues the Pittsburgh Steelers had during the 2020 season was in regards to their running game. There is no question the Steelers need to go into the 2021 NFL draft and fix their running game. Art Rooney II has been on the record saying that is what the Pittsburgh Steelers will aim to do during the 2021 offseason. He was not clear if the Steelers will address their running back and offensive line in the 2021 NFL draft, but it is very evident the Steelers have a lot of interest in a premier running back.
According to Gerry Dulac, the Steelers plan to address their running back issue early on in the draft. He says the Steelers want a more dynamic feature back, a player who can put back in the offense a dimension that has been missing since the departure of Le'Veon Bell. He continues to say the Steelers will address the running back in the 2021 NFL draft, most likely in the first round, no later than the second.
Normally the Steelers would not reach for a running back in the first round of the NFL draft, but this year feels a bit different. Especially in regards to how the Steelers pre-draft process has been going during the 2021 offseason. It seems the Steelers are pulling out all stops for Najee Harris. They brought in everyone during their meeting with Harris. Even the defensive side of the ball too. That means they're very serious about taking him if he falls to them, but normally the Steelers love to draft defensively in the earlier rounds.
Typically you wouldn't want to draft a running back in the first round of the NFL draft because rarely does it equate to good value, but I will say Harris or Etienne would be worth a first-round pick because they both would be a great fit in Pittsburgh. Both running backs can come into Pittsburgh and immediately start and make an impact on the football field. That is what the Steelers are looking for because Ben Roethlisberger is going into his final season or seasons with the organization. Look for the Steelers to take a running back very early on in the 2021 NFL draft. Hopefully, Harris can fall to the Steelers, but if he doesn't Etienne would be just as good in Pittsburgh.