Steelers' 3 best, 3 worst RB draft picks in Kevin Colbert era

Editor’s note: This NFL Draft will be the 20th under the eye of Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. In conjunction with the Trib’s daily positional previews leading up to the April 25 start of the draft, we’ll look back at Colbert’s three best — and three worst — picks at each position.

The past two decades saw quite the metamorphosis in NFL philosophy regarding the value of running backs. Once considered an indispensible star, modern player evaluation for a time had rendered running backs to be largely interchangeable parts dependent on their offensive line, playcalling and quarterback.

While running backs are making something of a comeback, they still haven’t quite attained the draft-priority status they enjoyed when Kevin Colbert’s tenure leading the Pittsburgh Steelers personnel department began in 2000.

The Steelers rarely emphasized running back over the past 19 drafts, selecting just 12 running backs — with just four of those coming in the first four rounds. Two of those four earned Pro Bowl recognition; another one had a 1,273-yard, 13-touchdown season. (The fourth, as described below, was a colossal bust).

Three best

1. Le’Veon Bell

2013, 2nd round, 48th overall

Put aside the disastrous manner in which Bell’s tenure with the team ended. While he was playing, he was not only one of the NFL’s best players, he put together one of the most productive three-to-four year stretches by a running back in league history. When many fans were clamoring for the bruising Eddie Lacy six years ago, the Steelers made the right call on Bell.

2. James Conner

2017, 3rd round, 105th overall

It’s still early to evaluate this pick fully, but getting even one Pro Bowl season from a third-round pick almost by definition makes it a good selection. At the time, it seemed as if Conner going on Day 2 of the draft was a stretch. The local hero silenced those doubters with five multi-TD games and five 100-yard games over his first 13 starts.

3. Jonathan Dwyer

2010, 6th round, 188th overall

Getting any production out of a sixth-round pick is a win. Dwyer lasted five NFL seasons and made six starts for the Steelers. They weren’t great by any means, but Dwyer is the best of a group of eight backs the Steelers have taken between Rounds 5-7 since 2000.

Three worst

1. Dri Archer

2014, 3rd round, 97th overall

Forget that two-time Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman was taken six picks later. With Bell around, Archer never was intended to be a featured back. He was supposed to be a speedster who could add spice to the offense. But Archer’s speed never translated, and his NFL career was over after just 20 games, 17 offensive touches and 63 yards.

2. Rashard Mendenhall

2008, 1st round, 23rd overall

It wouldn’t be fair to Mendenhall to label him a “bust,” but injuries limited him to three completed seasons with the Steelers. Those were relatively productive, but the next three running backs selected in that draft ended up with better numbers.

3. Chris Rainey

2012, 5th round, 159th overall

That Rainey didn’t work out doesn’t alone make this a bad pick that late in the draft. Still, he lasted just one season with the Steelers, posting twice as many fumbles (four) as touchdowns. The explosive playmaker the Steelers thought they were getting never materialized.

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