Report: Steelers Met with Michigan RB Hassan Haskins
The Pittsburgh Steelers met with Michigan running back Hassan Haskins for a private dinner in the pre-draft process, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Haskins, a 6-foot-2, 228 pound rusher, was a second-team All-American in 2021, rushing 270 times for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time featured back.
He also caught 18 passes for 131 yards, but Haskins’ strength is as a between-the-tackles rusher. He was the heaviest pure running back that weighed in at the combine, and put up an impressive 27 bench press reps while in Indianapolis.
The Steelers have shown consistent interest in third-day running backs as the team seeks change of pace options behind starter Najee Harris. Haskins is currently the No. 136 prospect on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board, which is just two picks from where the Steelers will make their first selection of the draft’s third day at No. 138 in the fourth round.
The Steelers sent both general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin to the Michigan pro day, where safety Dax Hill was the big target, but Haskins and linebacker Josh Ross also seem to fit the Steelers’ needs.
Harris is solidified as the Steelers’ starter after an impressive 2021 season, but he dominated the team’s carries, with backups Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland Jr. and Kalen Ballage combining for just 51 rushing attempts.
Ballage was not retained and remains a free agent, while Snell and McFarland both saw their usage decrease from 2020 to 2021 — not a strong sign that the team sees them as a big part of its future plans.
In Haskins, the Steelers could get a big-back complement to Harris that could replace Ballage’s 2021 role while also providing some long-term upside at the position.
Wilson said Haskins also met with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
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