New Name On Steelers' 2023 Roster Emerges As Potential Third Running Back

After only a brief time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, former Penn State running back, John Lovett has been waived by the team in order to make room for the recently recruited running back, Xazavian Valladay. When Lovett joined with the Steelers, he generated considerable intrigue as another running back to fill in for the injured Alfonzo Graham. His time on the field, however, was limited; he only took part in one practice before being forced to leave due to an unspecified ailment. Currently, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland, Gregg Bell, and Valladay make up the Steelers' running back room.

With two spots already secured for Harris and Warren, Pittsburgh is looking for a third runner on their roster. McFarland most likely holds the lead in that race going into the final week of preseason, but Valladay still has another preseason game to make an impression in Pittsburgh before the final roster cuts.

Valladay had a very successful college football career playing for the Wyoming Cowboys. In his debut season, he rushed for 402 yards on 72 carries, scoring three touchdowns and losing one fumble. During his senior year in 2021, he rushed for 1,063 yards on 207 attempts, with six touchdowns and four fumbles. He also had 23 receptions for 233 yards in the passing game.

During his one season with the Arizona Sun Devils, Valladay carried for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 134 rushing yards in a 28-18 loss against Washington State in November. Valladay also accumulated 5,339 yards from scrimmages and 39 touchdowns in 52 college games throughout his four prior years at Wyoming. In spite of the fact that he turned 25 in July, that wasn't enough to get him drafted; however, it did land him $175,000 in guarantees as an undrafted free agent from the Houston Texans. Throughout his five-year collegiate career, Valladay racked up 4,446 total rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and weighing 198 pounds, Valladay was predicted to be either a late-round choice or to be excluded from the NFL Draft entirely. He was ranked 313 in the NFL Mock Draft Database, participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was undoubtedly one of the greatest snubs from the NFL Combine. Before being unexpectedly released by the Texans, he played in a preseason game against the New England Patriots, rushing for 8 yards on four carries. Now, his opportunity to prove his NFL-caliber talent and make a name for himself with the Steelers has finally arrived.

With Harris and Warren as Pittsburgh's top two running backs, Valladay will compete for a spot during their last preseason game Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Fans should expect to see a lot of talent from this new addition to Pittsburgh's roster. He possesses the feet and feel necessary to sprint between tackles and across the field. An excellent blocker on the outside, Valladay also adds value in the running game and is just as dangerous ripping the top off of a defense when he is in catch-and-run situations. 

Against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night Valladay had 5 rush attempts for 4 yards, and 1 reception for 22 yards during his limited playing time. 

Valladay has a talent for spotting cut-back routes and separating them into manageable yardage chunks, by virtue of his precise vision of the field. In addition to Bell who was recently signed, and undrafted rookie Darius Hagans, the Steelers believe that a player who was so prolific in college merits a chance to see if he can somehow contribute to the other two running backs.

“I just have to come out here and be a ‘dog,’" Valladay said. “In this game, you’ve got to be a dog, because if you’re not that’s when you put some bad stuff on tape. I take my work very seriously, and I have been working hard all my life. I am a competitor at all I do, and I know to be a dog at it.”

Steelers fans worldwide should expect to see excellent performance from Valladay, McFarland and Bell, as they all try and compete for the third spot in their last game before the regular season starts.

What do you expect to see from the Steelers on Thursday? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!