Pittsburgh Steelers Address Rushing Needs in Bold Draft Move

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina. This decision comes after a disappointing 2024 season in which the team’s playoff appearance was marred by offensive struggles, particularly in the run game.

The Steelers entered the draft with a pressing need for a reliable running back, especially after Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Hampton was viewed as a top prospect who could provide the explosiveness and playmaking ability that the Steelers’ offense desperately needs.

“The Steelers are sniffing around the top running backs in the class and it became evident they needed a strong addition alongside Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Hampton would be a great fit for Arthur Smith’s offense,” said a football analyst at ESPN. With an impressive combination of size, speed, and agility, Hampton has the potential to emerge as a significant contributor in the NFL.

Hampton’s selection comes in response to critiques of last season’s offensive strategy. The Steelers were initially expected to rely heavily on a run-centric approach but fell short of that expectation. Many pundits believe that the gap between Hampton and other running back prospects, like Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, is minimal, but the disparity between Hampton and the subsequent tier of running backs is considerable.

“While we aren’t going to project Hampton as an immediate superstar, he has the makings of a future NFL star, mostly because he possesses the characteristics of Harris, minus the acceleration issues that plagued him on short runs last season,” the analyst added. Harris faced challenges with short yardage due to a lack of explosiveness, which impacted his performance despite his prowess as a power runner.

Despite the excitement surrounding Hampton, the Steelers management remained cautious. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant was still on the board at the time of selection and was seen as a viable option for the Steelers’ defense. This led to speculation that the Steelers could’ve opted to strengthen their defense first, considering the depth of the running back class.

The team’s current roster dynamics further complicate their draft strategy, as they do not have a second-round pick. This implies that taking a running back in the first round was a calculated risk to ensure they could secure a quality player like Hampton rather than rolling the dice on a less potent running back later in the draft.

With mixed feelings about their draft strategy, Steelers fans will be eager to see how Hampton integrates into the team’s game plan. If he can live up to the hype surrounding him, he may invigorate a Steelers offense that has struggled at critical moments during games.