Tim Benz: Tim Benz, Matt Williamson's NFL Draft preview: Steelers plan at QB; running back they can't ignore in Round 1

Apr. 19—In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), "Breakfast With Benz" is spending this week publishing daily Steelers draft-related previews. We are breaking down the franchise's needs into five different sections.

Monday: Quarterbacks and running backs

Tuesday: Receivers and tight ends

Wednesday: Offensive line

Thursday: Defensive front seven

Friday: Secondary

Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/"Peacock and Williamson NFL Show") joins me for analysis and a podcast about the prospective talent within those position groups. We also will discuss potential Steelers targets, organizational needs and draft strategy.

We start with a bang by talking about quarterbacks and running backs.

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No one would argue against the theory that the Steelers need a running back. Few would dispute that Alabama's Najee Harris would be a good fit (3,843 career yards, 46 touchdowns).

Some might challenge the strategy of taking a running back in the first round, seeing as how conventional NFL wisdom seems to be to devalue the position.

The 2021 view on running backs is that their success is more a function of the offense and the blocking in front of them than a result of their own skill. So the belief is you can find capable ones at any point in the draft — or cheap in free agency.

Also, the injury rate is such that it is often deemed unwise to sink major dollars or draft capital into the position.

Williamson normally agrees with that school of thought. But based on how badly the Steelers need a running back and the fact that Harris, Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Javonte Williams (North Carolina) may not last very deep into the second round, Williamson is not opposed to going against the grain.

"As a rule of thumb, if it's offensive line or running back, nine out of 10 years, I'm going to go offensive line," Williamson said. "This year, I think there are only three backs in this draft who are franchise backs. Obvious upgrades that answer the problem at that position. And that position (with the Steelers) has been very bad two years in a row now."

Williamson believes Harris is special enough to acquire with pick No. 24 in the first round. In large part, that's due to Harris' skills at catching the football out of the backfield, something that he wasn't asked to do a lot early in his college career. Yet over his last two years with the Crimson Tide, he caught 70 passes for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"He's a very good receiver and an excellent receiving prospect. I hate to use the Le'Veon Bell receiver comparison. But I think it's similar. At 230 pounds, he can line up wide against a linebacker and run slants and wide receiver routes and has a huge catching radius. If I'm going to use an early pick on a running back, he really has to contribute in the passing game."

Another reason that Williamson subscribed to the notion of drafting Harris in the first round is that he sees enough talent available at center and offensive tackle that the Steelers could address those two glaring needs in the second and third rounds if they desire.

I'm on board with that idea. The only potential issue is that the Steelers will have to brace themselves for the prospect of ignoring cornerback or pass rusher until the fourth round.

As for quarterbacks, Williamson isn't buying into the chatter from those saying the Steelers will hunt for Ben Roethlisberger's successor this year. That means he expects them to avoid the temptation of trading up in the first round to get any of the five potential first-round quarterbacks (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones).

Nor does he expect general manage Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin to reach for a more developmental option such as Florida's Kyle Trask, Texas A&M's Kellen Mond or Stanford's Davis Mills.

"I don't know that this is the year that the Steelers would address quarterback. I think they are setting themselves up for a year from now," Williamson said. "This is the year you build a nest for the next quarterback to gently fall into. Build a running game. Build your offensive line back up. Have some cap space."

Also in our podcast, Williamson gives us his reasons why the Steelers should stay away from Mac Jones, a second- or third-round back if the Steelers can't get one of the top three, and how so many quarterbacks jumping out of the top 10 could help the Steelers' cause.

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Listen: Tim Ben and Matt Williamson discuss quarterbacks and running backs in this year's NFL Draft and what the Steelers might do at those positions

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.