The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back LaRod Stephens-Howling to a one-year deal, according to the team's website. With only Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman on the depth chart at the moment, the Steelers had a definite need to att RB depth. Stephens-Howling is expected to play mostly special teams and third downs rather than being the new feature back to replace Rashard Mendenhall.
It's nice to see a former Pitt Panther join the Steelers (and hey, maybe they'll draft Ray Graham this weekend) and bolster the depth in the backfield a little bit. It doesn't change the desperate need for a real starter, and likely won't alter Colbert's draft strategy tonight.
I'm on the record as hoping Eddie Lacy falls to Pittsburgh in the second round. This signing has done little to change my stance. It might not happen, but expect the Steelers to address that position before the end of the draft. As the rounds go on, the strategy will shift to "best player available" but if they have to reach a little bit to get someone at the RB position, they probably will.
