It took them 19 years, but the Steelers today finally drafted a running back in the first round when they selected Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois with the 23rd pick.
Mendenhall has Barry Foster-like size at 5-10, 225 and should serve as the perfect complement to Willie Parker, a Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside, if you will. Mendenhall ran for 1,681 yards last season and averaged a whopping 6.4 per carry. He also has a 4.41 speed in the 40, considered excellent for his size.
He lasted a lot longer in the first round than most expected, and it did not take the Steelers long to snap him up.
My only reservation is that he played in the Big Ten. And, who is going to block for him? I think they will attempt to address that in the next rounds.
Go Steelers.
What the heck is the matter with the Big Ten? - aside from the fact that it has 11 teams, so it can't count.