Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't ready to make "wholesale changes" after a rough start to the 2023 season, but he knows that there is an offensive problem in Pittsburgh.
After the Steelers' 26-22 win over the Browns on "Monday Night Football," Tomlin acknowledged that his team needs to get its "mojo back." Pittsburgh's offense has as many touchdowns as its defense (two) through two regular-season games following a preseason in which the first-team offense scored five touchdowns on five possessions.
"We got to get that mojo that we had in the preseason where we're playing fast and fluid with confidence, individually and collectively. We've lost that, to be blunt, in the last several weeks," Tomlin said. "We're not getting the type of fluidity that we want in our starts ... not being in advantageous down circumstances, really making it challenging to sustain drives and score points."
While there is plenty of blame to go around — offensive coordinator Matt Canada and quarterback Kenny Pickett certainly need to be better — the lack of a productive rushing attack is a big reason why the Steelers can't move the ball.
Najee Harris, who showed tremendous promise when he earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, simply hasn't been effective. He has 74 rushing yards, putting him behind not only numerous running backs, but also quarterbacks like Daniel Jones (102), Lamar Jackson (92), Taysom Hill (79), Patrick Mahomes (75) and Anthony Richardson (75). If you remove Harris' longest run from each game (21 and 24 yards), he is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry.
MORE: Redrafting the 2021 NFL Draft: Najee Harris falls out of Round 1
With Harris struggling and the general value of running backs on a steep decline, it's impossible for Steelers fans to avoid the "What if?" question about the 2021 NFL Draft. Who could have landed in Pittsburgh if the front office decided to pass on Harris?
2021 NFL Draft results
The Steelers took Harris with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris, who finished with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns as a senior at Alabama, was the first running back selected at the event.
| Pick | Team | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence |
| 2 | Jets | Zach Wilson |
| 3 | 49ers | Trey Lance |
| 4 | Falcons | Kyle Pitts |
| 5 | Bengals | Ja'Marr Chase |
| 6 | Dolphins | Jaylen Waddle |
| 7 | Lions | Penei Sewell |
| 8 | Panthers | Jaycee Horn |
| 9 | Broncos | Patrick Surtain II |
| 10 | Eagles | DeVonta Smith |
| 11 | Bears | Justin Fields |
| 12 | Cowboys | Micah Parsons |
| 13 | Chargers | Rashawn Slater |
| 14 | Jets | Alijah Vera-Tucker |
| 15 | Patriots | Mac Jones |
| 16 | Cardinals | Zaven Collins |
| 17 | Raiders | Alex Leatherwood |
| 18 | Dolphins | Jaelan Phillips |
| 19 | Commanders | Jamin Davis |
| 20 | Giants | Kadarius Toney |
| 21 | Colts | Kwity Paye |
| 22 | Titans | Caleb Farley |
| 23 | Vikings | Christian Darrisaw |
| 24 | Steelers | Najee Harris |
| 25 | Jaguars | Travis Etienne |
| 26 | Browns | Greg Newsome II |
| 27 | Ravens | Rashod Bateman |
| 28 | Saints | Payton Turner |
| 29 | Packers | Eric Stokes |
| 30 | Bills | Gregory Rousseau |
| 31 | Ravens | Odafe Oweh |
| 32 | Buccaneers | Joe Tryon-Shoyinka |
Who Steelers could've picked in 2021 NFL Draft instead of Najee Harris
Let's not completely rearrange the first round or grab a player who drifted way down the draft board. No one could have reasonably expected the Steelers to take someone like Amon-Ra St. Brown over Harris.
However, there were some solid prospects right behind Harris in the draft order.
Fill a need: Greg Newsome II, CB
The Steelers have a long history of impactful linemen and linebackers, including former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. Cornerback, on the other hand, hasn't always been a position of strength.
No one is going to compare Newsome to Aliquippa, Pa., native Darrelle Revis, but he would be an upgrade at the corner spot. And he would likely shine in coverage with the front seven putting so much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Never too much of a good thing: Gregory Rousseau, DE
At just 23 years old, Rousseau has the potential to become a terrific edge rusher. He registered four sacks as a rookie, then doubled his output in 2022.
Pittsburgh's defensive line is already terrifying enough with Watt and Alex Highsmith flying into the backfield. Imagine if the Steelers also had the option to sub in Rousseau — or put him alongside those monsters.
MORE: How long is Nick Chubb out? Injury timeline, updates, return date
He might actually be the better running back: Travis Etienne, RB
If the Steelers were 100 percent committed to picking a running back, perhaps they should have taken Etienne over Harris. After missing the 2021 season, Etienne totaled more than 1,400 yards of offense in 2022, giving the Jaguars a burst out of the backfield.
Canada's offense uses a lot of motion and lateral movement to throw off defenses, but Harris is more of a north-to-south runner than one who will beat a defender to the sideline. Etienne's explosiveness and speed may have made him a better fit in the system.