Is Taking The Duo of Judkins and Henderson Possible For The Steelers?

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When a running back class is this deep, it’s only natural for teams to seek to capitalize on its potential.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, finding the ideal running backs for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system has been as much a priority as reinforcing the interior of their defensive line. Since January, the Steelers have engaged with 20 different running backs at various events, five of whom have had scheduled pre-draft visits with the team. Among these prospects are the Ohio State duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

This year’s national championship run by the Buckeyes would not have been possible without this dynamic backfield tandem. From a skillset perspective, both players share exceptional top-end speed, athleticism, and receiving capabilities, which made them invaluable offensive assets.

However, their contrasting running styles set them apart. Standing at 6'0" and weighing 221 pounds, Judkins exemplifies the prototypical physical, aggressive back, thriving on contact in the heart of the defense. In contrast, Henderson is a finesse runner who leverages his agility and lateral quickness to create space and make significant gains on the perimeter. This thunder-and-lightning combination played a pivotal role in making the Buckeyes the nation’s top offensive unit last year.

For Henderson, durability has been a recurring concern throughout his career, apart from his impressive true freshman season, when he gained national recognition for his performance. After the 2023 Cotton Bowl, Henderson considered declaring for the NFL but ultimately chose to remain with the team, driven by a desire to help secure a national championship. Meanwhile, Judkins earned all-conference honors during his first two years with the Ole Miss Rebels. Despite splitting responsibilities with Henderson, he saw an opportunity to grow as a player while pursuing the shared goal of a championship run. Ultimately, it was fitting that the two achieved their objective together as a dynamic tandem.

Given that the Steelers currently have only six draft selections and four running backs on their roster, the likelihood of them selecting both Judkins and Henderson is low. However, if the team were to decide to release veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, this could present an opportunity, depending on how they plan to utilize newly acquired running back Kenneth Gainwell. Last season with the Eagles, Gainwell received only 75 carries but demonstrated his value in other areas of the offense. Ultimately, it will be up to Smith to conjure up schemes that maximize the potential contributions of both Judkins and Henderson.

Even if this were not feasible, the Steelers would still benefit from having a player with championship pedigree, such as Judkins or Henderson. For a team that ranked 11th last season in total rushing yards, adding a Buckeye to the backfield could elevate their ground game to the next level.