Defensive line remains the cream of the NFL Draft crop, but a position on the offensive side is gaining steam after the conclusion of the scouting combine.

Running backs did nothing to hurt their collective draft stock after testing took place over the weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

According to NFL Network, this year’s group of runners had the best cumulative speed since the network began operation in 2003. Of the running backs who were tested, 14 ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds.

“The position as a whole stood out,” draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “It’s a deep group. The vast majority worked out, and they were impressive.”

That could spell good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly if they don’t re-sign impending free agent Najee Harris to a second contract. General manager Omar Khan met with Harris’ agent, Doug Henderson, at the combine and said he hasn’t “closed the door” on Harris being re-signed.

Jaylen Warren, meantime, will be a restricted free agent. The Steelers can have the first right of refusal if Warren receives a contract offer from another team by giving him a $3.263 million tender. If they provide a $5.346 million tender, which is unlikely, they will receive a second-round pick if Warren leaves in free agency.

“We’re confident we are going to tender him and be in a position where Jaylen is going to be here,” Khan said at the combine.

The other veteran on the offseason roster is Cordarrelle Patterson, who is a candidate to be released, a transaction that could save $2.8 million against the salary cap.

In search of reinforcements, the Steelers met with nearly all of the top running backs — formally or informally — at the combine, including consensus first-round pick Ashton Jeanty of Boise State.

Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, was one of three prospects who did not work out at the combine. The others were Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, a pair of projected Day 2 picks.

“This process has been going great,” Jeanty said Friday, the day before running backs were scheduled to take the field for workouts. “You talk about running backs, there are a lot of great ones here. I’ve been picking their minds, talking to all the different teams and seeing their philosophies.”

Thanks to Saquon Barkley challenging the single-season rushing record in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, while helping them win a Super Bowl, the running back position may be regaining importance.

Since Barkley was taken No. 2 overall by the New York Giants in 2018, just one running back has been drafted in the top 10 in the past six seasons. That was Bijan Robinson, who went No. 8 overall to Atlanta in 2023.

And since the Steelers’ Harris and Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne went back-to-back in 2021, just two runners went anywhere in the first round in the ensuing three drafts. Jahmyr Gibbs went to Detroit four picks after the Falcons took Robinson.

“I see the value of running backs going back up,” Jeanty said. “I’m definitely coming in at a perfect time. It’s not just (Barkley), but guys are doing exceptional things in the NFL. Also right here in my draft class, there are a lot of great running backs here.”

North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson hoped to use their combine workouts as a chance to springboard into the first round. Jeremiah listed both players among his standouts after testing was completed. Joining them on his list were the Ohio State duo of TreVeyon Henderson (4.43 in the 40) and Quinshon Judkins (4.48), Georgia’s Trevor Etienne (4.42) and Michigan’s Donovan Edwards (4.44). NFL.com included Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten, whose 4.32 time in the 40 led all running backs, as another player who raised his stock at the combine.

“There will be plenty of running backs to choose from in this class,” Jeremiah said.

A potential mid-round option for the Steelers could be Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks, whose 5-foot-9, 214-pound frame conjures comparisons to Warren. He weighed 229 last season before shedding weight for the draft.

Brooks had multiple 1,500-yard seasons and left Texas Tech as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,557 yards. He ran the 40 in 4.52 seconds at the combine.

Asked which teams have an offense that fits his running style, Brooks mentioned the Steelers first.

“I love how they have hard-nosed run (plays),” he said.

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