Daijun Edwards is an important player to keep an eye on for Steelers

Keep an eye on the former Georgia running back this season

This past week the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to decline the fifth-year option on RB Najee Harris. Pittsburgh’s backfield depth will be tested if he doesn’t re-sign with the Steelers after the year.

There is currently one RB who will be penciled in on the Steelers roster and that’s Jaylen Warren. Although he’s a restricted free agent, there’s a small percentage chance the Steelers could let him walk, unless something abnormal happens.

Swiss army knife Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year deal this offseason, but he’ll be 34 years old and based on his performance last season (181 yards rushing and a 3.6 yards per carry), he’s far from a lock to stick around.

Enter former Georgia RB and Steelers UDFA signee Daijun Edwards. Edwards led the Bulldogs in rushing last season, finishing the campaign with 880 yards and 13 TDs in 12 games.

He’s built like a tank at 5’10, 210lbs — and earned plenty of praise from his head coach in college. Coach Kirby Smart told reporters leading up to the draft:

“So proud of who Daijun is and what he’s grown to be. Here’s a kid that wasn’t even that heavily recruited, but we took the kid because we knew he was tough as hell, he would work hard, and he had a tremendous season for us to really help us.”

He’s someone to watch for multiple reasons. First, this notion that running backs grow on trees is not exactly true. Jaylen Warren is an anomaly.

Secondly, you would hate to waste early draft capital on a back. Look at this past year. How often have we said don’t use a first-round pick on a running back because of the Najee Harris situation? Well, don’t do it in the second or third either.

You could say “Well they could always sign a running back” – but they will likely have to pay one of their quarterbacks, a wide receiver, and more. Both of those rooms are already thin.

This isn’t necessarily me defending them for declining Harris’ option. I think it’s a fair hedge. I’m pointing out that Edwards has been overlooked in all of this.

Former UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee and WVU CB Beanie Bishop have received plenty of attention. But it’s time to put Edwards on your radar.