Apr 23, 2015 4 min read

There is a theory in the NFL that running backs aren’t as valuable as they used to be.

Proponents of this point out there hasn’t been a running back selected in the first round in each of the past two drafts.

That is as much because of the depth and skill of players available at other positions as it is the way teams value running backs.

To drive that point home, two running backs – Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley – are expected to be taken in the opening round of this year’s draft, which begins Thursday.

With Le’Veon Bell, a second-round pick in 2013, already established as a star, the Steelers don’t need to select a running back in the first round. Pittsburgh also signed veteran DeAngelo Williams in free agency to serve as Bell’s backup, a critical position considering Bell was suspended for the first three games of the upcoming season because of DUI and marijunana possession convictions.

With only diminutive Dri Archer and Josh Harris behind Bell and Williams, the Steelers could be looking to add a running back in the three-day draft. Pittsburgh owns the 22nd pick in the first round and has eight picks in the seven-round draft.

With Williams turning 32 next week, the Steelers could be in search of a running back whose talents mirror those of Bell, who is as dangerous as a pass receiver out of the backfield as he is a runner.

Northern Iowa’s David Johnson, a mid-round prospect, might be a perfect fit.

Johnson (6-1, 224) wasn’t highly recruited as a 180-pound wide receiver despite playing both receiver and running back in high school. But after a week of drills in his first season at Northern Iowa, he was shifted to running back.

“I was a late bloomer because of my height,” Johnson said. “I was tall and lanky. I was 190 pounds with clothes on. But I was able to catch. And with me playing receiver some in high school, a lot of schools projected me to play receiver.”

Johnson rushed for 4,682 yards in four seasons, including 1,553 in 2014, with 49 touchdowns. He caught 141 passes for 1,734 yards and 14 scores.

Though Northern Iowa isn’t in a power conference, Johnson’s ability was on display when the Panthers stepped up in class. For example, in the 2014 season-opener against Iowa, Johnson was limited to 34 rushing yards on 13 carries by a tough Hawkeye run defense but had 203 receiving yards and a touchdown on five receptions.

His body type and receiving skills are similar to those of Bell, who set Steelers records for a running back with 83 receptions for 854 yards last season.

“That’s something I work on a lot,” Johnson said of his receiving skills. “One-on-one routes, we would do that every day in practice. After practice, I would work on my routes with the receivers.”

The Steelers also could choose to reunite Bell with former Michigan State teammate Jeremy Langford, a 6-0, 208-pound running back who served as the Spartans’ workhorse for two seasons after Bell left for the NFL.

“I watched (Bell’s) games. I learned a lot,” said Langford, who rushed for 2,944 yards and 40 touchdowns in the last two seasons.

“How he ran the ball, his patience … That’s what he does a good job of, not being worried about people’s criticism of him being a big back and being too patient. He runs the same way all the time; he’s very patient.”

Langford, another mid-round prospect, would love to rejoin Bell to combine for a formidable duo.

“To be a good team, you must have a good running back or a couple of good running backs, and you have to be able to run the ball and keep teams honest,” Langford said. “It’s hard to pass the ball up and down the field for four quarters. If you can’t establish that run – establish the four yards here, four yards there – then it’s hard to win games or win championships.”

Lolley’s running back rankings

1. Todd Gurley, 6-1, 222, Georgia

2. Melvin Gordon, 6-1, 215, Wisconsin

3. Duke Johnson, 5-9, 207, Miami (Fla.)

4. Jay Ajayi, 5-11, 221, Boise

5. Telvin Coleman, 5-11, 206, Indiana

6. Jeremy Langford, 6-0, 208, Michigan St.

7. David Johnson, 6-1, 224, N. Iowa

8. Ameer Abdullah, 5-9, 207, Nebraska

9. T.J. Yeldon, 6-1, 226, Alabama

10. Javorius Allen, 6-0, 221, USC