With the 124th overall pick, the Steelers select RB Anthony McFarland

[bigben]

Bell's last season with the Steelers:
1,291 yards, 4.0 YPC, 9 TDs in 15 starts

Conner's first season starting post-Bell:
973 yards, 4.5 YPC, 12 TDs in 12 starts

Samuels first season post-Bell:
256 yards, 4.6 YPC, 0 TDs in 3 starts

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...s-anthony-mcfarland-takes-leveon-bell-number/

Mcfarland Quote

“To me, wearing 2-6, I’ve always been a big fan of Le’Veon Bell,” said McFarland via a video conference call with media Saturday.

“He’s always been the best running back in the league to me, ever since I been watching him when I was in college and when I was in high school,” he said.

 

[Muddler]

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...s-anthony-mcfarland-takes-leveon-bell-number/
“To me, wearing 2-6, I’ve always been a big fan of Le’Veon Bell,” said McFarland via a video conference call with media Saturday

Best thing IMO about McFarland picking #26: I can once again break out the old Rod Woodson Jersey I bought back in the 90s. Wore it proudly during Bells tenure with the team and stuck it in the closet after his self inflicted exile. #26 coming back out baby. No-one ever looks at the name on the back anyway and if they do they'll see the name of the second greatest CB (after Mel Blount of course) to wear the black and gold.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

For those who think McFarland is small, he's close to the same size as Dobbins

JK Dobbins 5'9 209
McFarland 5'8 208

Somehow people think Dobbins is some bruiser and McFarland is a tiny scat back.

McFarland averaged 3.1 yards per carry AFTER first contact for his college career

 

[Drink IRON City]

That's a great point by Reggie. He's shorter, so if he gets even a small crease, he's ripping off yardage. Guy isn't just a speed back, he's got a good blend of high end speed with the strength to break tackles. Now you have to worry about finding him on defense behind our enourmous line, and while you're searching the backfield, he's running by you. Loving this pick more and more each day.

I don't agree he's can be better then Bell yet, different runners, and Bell couldn't outrun defenders, but I'm excited to see his explosiveness put to work for the Steelers this year!

If he's better and more durable than Conner then I hope he is starting because that would be an upgrade. (Not taking away from Conner). Some say his pass b locking needs work so if that's true then I don't see him taking the starting job. Maybe later season but also know that RB is the easiest transition from college to NFL position (I think). With possible shortened TC OTAs and possibly pre & reg season shortages, McFarland may not even crack the line up. I hope all the FAs & Draft Personel get their chances but ONLY because they deserve em.





Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

If he's better and more durable than Conner then I hope he is starting because that would be an upgrade. (Not taking away from Conner). Some say his pass b locking needs work so if that's true then I don't see him taking the starting job. Maybe later season but also know that RB is the easiest transition from college to NFL position (I think). With possible shortened TC OTAs and possibly pre & reg season shortages, McFarland may not even crack the line up. I hope all the FAs & Draft Personel get their chances but ONLY because they deserve em.





Salute the nation

I think Conner improved in his pass blocking, I really think it is his injuries that hold him back only. With Snell in his second year I think they can truly rotate more with McFarland in the mix keep those backs fresh. Those three RBs will get plenty of looks...

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[TDX27]

For those who think McFarland is small, he's close to the same size as Dobbins

JK Dobbins 5'9 209
McFarland 5'8 208

Somehow people think Dobbins is some bruiser and McFarland is a tiny scat back.

McFarland averaged 3.1 yards per carry AFTER first contact for his college career

I never got where people were comparing McFarland to the small RB's we or other teams have had. He may be short but he is a bowling ball of muscle and he's fast. I hope they found a diamond in that pick.

 

[Stryker]

Here's a breakdown of McFarland's vision by Alex Kozora at Steeler Depot. Good insight into his zone blocking read recognition.

https://Invalid Link - Check SN Hom...mcfarland-shows-vision-to-be-complete-runner/

 

[Litos]

If you tell me that in 4 years McFarland will have 70% of Dobbins stats this pick would be a steal. Maybe something akin fo the ravens jumping to draft TE Maxx Williams in the 2nd while the Steelers wait till the 5th round to get similar talent in Jesse James.

After all the info on him, he looks built like Ray Rice and maybe that's what the scouts and coaches saw on him, if he improves his vision and blocking he could become a featured back paired with a pile mover to complement him

 

[Steelworth]

After all the info on him, he looks built like Ray Rice and maybe that's what the scouts and coaches saw on him, if he improves his vision and blocking he could become a featured back paired with a pile mover to complement him

Welcome in Benny Snell football!

 

[bermudasteel]

They didn't miss on a bruiser. They already have 2 of them. The Steelers wanted a different type of RB, somebody with speed.

McFarland is short but he is powerfully built. He's not Archer or Chris Rainey. He can actually play RB unlike those guys who were just track guys.

Watch his game vs Ohio state in 2018 where you can see him break tackles. You see the speed. You see some inside running. You even see some pass blocking.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sceb-NuUa3Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Chubb 1st team all pro had more rushing yards this season than Conner has had the past 2 years.
Ingram 3 time probowler 15 td last year.
Hunt is also an 1st team all pro as well as leading the NFL in rushing his rookie year.
Mixon is clearly in a different league than Conner, it's obvious to anyone who watches film.
Steelers ranked 29th and 31st in rushing since Bell left.

Our running game was non-existent because of the poor QB play...not saying that McFarland was my optimal pick at the time (I preferred Dobbins instead of Claypool) but after some time to reflect - I am fine w/ all the selections of the draft.

I have confidence in our FO and coaching staff when they select players as of late. The last real dumb pick was Jarvis Jones and I don't see that in this year's draft...

 

[bermudasteel]

They didn't miss on a bruiser. They already have 2 of them. The Steelers wanted a different type of RB, somebody with speed.

McFarland is short but he is powerfully built. He's not Archer or Chris Rainey. He can actually play RB unlike those guys who were just track guys.

Watch his game vs Ohio state in 2018 where you can see him break tackles. You see the speed. You see some inside running. You even see some pass blocking.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sceb-NuUa3Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Dave Bryan did an excellent breadkdown of every run over 25 in his career. He's not like a normal speed back, only getting big yardage on the edge, he's going between the tackles and one cutting on most of these runs. My favorite runs are the first and last run on this list from 2019. Using his wiggle and vision to pick the right lane for the big gain!

https://Invalid Link - Check SN Hom...mcfarlands-career-explosive-runs-at-maryland/

WAIT A MINUTE!!! Didn't Coach say he would fail running between the tackles in the NFL??? Blasphemy!!!

 

[SteelerinMD]

WAIT A MINUTE!!! Didn't Coach say he would fail running between the tackles in the NFL??? Blasphemy!!!

BUT BUT BUT he was my sleeper RB and I mentioned several times in the draft thread. I picked it I was right! Look at me! Nailed it!!

 

[Steeltime]

BUT BUT BUT he was my sleeper RB and I mentioned several times in the draft thread. I picked it I was right! Look at me! Nailed it!!

Pffft, that was nothing. I did 7,812 mock drafts and had every possible player selected by the Steelers, in every round, from YA Tittle to Joe Burrow to Big Ben's 10-year old cousin.

 

[Stryker]

If you tell me that in 4 years McFarland will have 70% of Dobbins stats this pick would be a steal. Maybe something akin fo the ravens jumping to draft TE Maxx Williams in the 2nd while the Steelers wait till the 5th round to get similar talent in Jesse James.

After all the info on him, he looks built like Ray Rice and maybe that's what the scouts and coaches saw on him, if he improves his vision and blocking he could become a featured back paired with a pile mover to complement him

Good comparison Litos. I'd say McFarland has a higher ceiling and Dobbins has the higher floor.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

i may have mentioned in another thread but Dobbins benefited greatly from the read option with Justin Fields. Here are Dobbins yards per carry

2017 - 7.2 avg - with running QB JT Barrett
2018 - 4.6 avg - with pocket passer Dwayne Haskins
2019 - 6.7 avg - with running QB Justin Fields

it should be noted that in 2018 the #2 RB Mike Weber (who went undrafted) averaged 5.5

Dobbins was very productive and he's pretty good but not great. He will be productive in Balt, but so would any competent RB. Gus Edwards averaged 5.3 last year with the ravens and he's as average as they come.

All these people wanting Dobbins. I'd rather have McFarland, especially when you factor in the cost.