Moving along with part 74 of our 90ish-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man (now 80-,man) roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s dive into sophomore running back:

Benny Snell Jr.

Position: RB
Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 224 lbs
College: Kentucky
Draft: 4th round, 122nd overall in 2019

2019 Stats

13 Games played
108 Attempts
426 Rushing Yards
3 Receptions
23 Receiving Yards
2 Touchdowns
1 Fumble

Contract remaining

Expires in 2023
$850,517 salary cap number (.42% of total cap)
$175,517 Dead money
$675,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Lock. Benny Snell Jr. will feature prominently in a running back quartet in Pittsburgh. The sophomore back should pick up where he left off as a short yardage guy as well as who the Steelers turn too in the event James Conner gets injured. Snell won't be going anywhere anytime soon, especially if the Steelers choose not to re-sign Conner at the conclusion of this upcoming season.

2020 projection

I believe Snell will take the next step after an average rookie campaign. The return of Ben Roethlisberger should back up defenders and un-crowd the box, making it considerably easier to run the ball. If James Conner plays in all 16 games it is possible that Snell doesn't set career bests in yards or attempts, but 2020 should be a stepping stone year for a player that projects to be a starter in 2021.

Projected stats:

14 Games played
100 Attempts
425 Rushing Yards
10 Receptions
85 Receiving Yards
3 Touchdowns
1 Fumble

Summary

As long as James Conner is healthy the Steelers have leaned heavily on him for production. If this is the case again in 2020 it may hurt Snells production, unless Conner is to get hurt from the gigantic work load in which case Snell will pick up even more carries. When compared to the other back up running backs I believe Benny Snell Jr. will pick up more carries than both Jaylen Samuels and Anthony McFarland Jr. A big season from the Kentucky alum might even sway managements decision on whether the team should re-sign James Conner or not. The 2020 season will be a huge one in determining the future of the backfield, and all the chips are seemingly sitting infant of Benny Snell.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett -Cut
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney -Cut
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson -Cut
Dewayne Hendrix -Cut
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel -Cut
Christian Kuntz -Cut
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart
Paxton Lynch
Dan McCullers
Vance McDonald
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Henry Mondeaux
Christian Montano -Cut
Alexander Myres
Steven Nelson
Spencer Nigh
Chuks Okorafor
James Pierre
Maurkice Pouncey
Kevin Rader
Dax Raymond
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Jaylen Samuels
Tuzar Skipper
Wendall Smallwood
Juju Smith-Schuster