If Tomlin is going to use the run to relieve pressure on Pickett, he’s going to need an easier path to more yardage on first or second down. Their 2.7 yards before contact on rush plays was a below-average mark and Harris’ 2.1 YBC ranked 40th among 46 qualified ballcarriers. Last year’s unit arguably outplayed expectations but still left room for improvement.

Daniels didn’t overwhelm in his Pittsburgh debut, but Seumalo has the chops to be a rising tide that makes everyone’s life easier up front. Seumalo’s arrival will allow Kevin Dotson to move into a depth role in the final year of his contract and give the Steelers one of the better guard combinations in the league between the former Eagle and 2022 free agent acquisition James Daniels. A big part of that was Seumalo, who cleared space up the middle in the run game and helped keep Hurts protected both his pass and run block win rates in 2022 ranked among the top 20 of NFL interior linemen. Jalen Hurts’ propensity to take off and extend drives played a role there, but the team’s running backs combined to average 4.6 yards per carry and 3.3 yards before contact per run - tied for fourth-best in the league.

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