The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL have all been dealing with the constant debate of the value of a good running back. Some say running backs should never be drafted in the first round, unless they are a rare generational talent such as Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey. Across the league, quality running backs bounce around because team's don't want to pay them past their rookie contract, which Steelers fans are starting to see after the organization declined Najee Harris' fifth-year option.
Pittsburgh selected Harris during the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris was an exciting pick, and the Steelers did have a need at running back. He was one of the best in the country while at Alabama. The pick made sense, but the Steelers also needed a center right after the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey. Creed Humphrey was drafted after Harris in the second round, and turned out to be an All-Pro center. Fans have been mad about this since 2021, but NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah believes Pittsburgh may have finally fixed their center issue. Jeremiah spoke about this on NFL Daily With Gregg Rosenthal.
"They have a chance to be a really, really good and young offensive line. I still think, by the way, [Zach] Frazier, if you watch that game, just peak at the center for the Steelers. Frazier - he is a stud. He's got a chance to be one of the best centers in the NFL. He's got a lot of Creed Humphrey in him, so I am excited to see him."
Many fans wanted the Steelers to select Humphrey on draft night in 2021. He was graded near the end of the first round or as an early second rounder, but he ended up sliding all the way to the 63rd pick where he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs. Hindsight is 20/20, and there was no way of knowing that Humphrey would turn into arguably the best center in the league while he was still on his rookie contract.
Pittsburgh selected Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has already been impressing. He quickly claimed the starting job after Nate Herbig suffered a devastating injury, and he has impressed during the preseason. Analysts like Jeremiah have noticed the potential Frazier has, and claim he can soon be one of the top centers in the league as well.
Harris has been a good back with the Steelers, as he has reached 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons. He was also named a Pro Bowler during his rookie season. It is seeming like 2024 might be his last season in Pittsburgh, as his future in the Steel City is unclear. The two sides can still reach a new deal, but as of right now, that seems like a long shot.
Steelers May Have Redeemed Themselves For Passing On Creed Humphrey
Although Harris has been consistent and productive for Pittsburgh since being drafted in 2021, the Steelers could have benefitted from selecting Humphrey that same year. Since the retirement of Pouncey, the organization has struggled tremendously to find a reliable center. The first center Pittsburgh tried after Pouncey was Kendrick Green. Pittsburgh selected Green in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he started the majority of the 2021 season at center. He was on the active roster again in 2022, but was a healthy scratch the entire year.
The Steelers then signed Mason Cole heading into the 2022 season, and he started at center for two years with Pittsburgh. He was released after the 2023 season, as he had issues with blocking and physically getting the ball to the quarterback. While these struggles continued for three seasons or so, Humphrey's name was consistently brought up by fans that were still unhappy with how the 2021 draft unfolded.
