When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kent State running back Dri Archer in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, many questioned whether or not the diminutive speedster could make an impact as a pro. As Archer gets ready for his second year with the Steelers, those questions still linger.
In fact, the skeptics who were critical of the selection at the time were given plenty of ammunition for their arguments during Archer’s rookie campaign. Among the arguments made against picking Archer so high was his lack of size (5’8, 173 pounds) and the inability to truly play the position of running back in the NFL.
Supporters of the selection alluded to Archer’s dazzling return ability and a 40 time (4.28) that was among the fastest ever recorded at the combine. Desperate for a playmaker on kickoff returns, and looking to accommodate offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s wish to have a slot back capable of the home run on any given play, the Steelers gambled on Archer.
To say that Archer struggled during his rookie season would be an understatement. At training camp, Archer looked slower than his blazing 40 time suggested, and the suddenness he exhibited when he had the football in his hands seemed to be missing. The regular season proved to be no better, as Archer rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries and had a grand total of seven catches for 23 yards. Initially earning the kickoff return duties, Archer was quickly replaced by Markus Wheaton after failing to impress with nine returns for 161 yards.
In spite of these poor numbers, along with the looming three-game suspension of Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers provided a hint to Steeler fans that they still feel Archer can bounce back in his sophomore season. That’s because though many believed the Steelers would draft a running back with one of their eight picks a couple of weekends ago, they did not despite of a deep, talented running back class.
Though there are still plenty of skeptics, it seems clear that the Steelers still believe in Archer. It would seem that regardless the organization’s confidence that Archer will be better in 2015, it might be essential if he wants to have more than a brief NFL career.
The key to making this happen will be utilizing Archer properly and not exposing his limitations.
This means moving Archer around to find mismatches against linebackers and safeties in space as a receiver. Too many times Archer was unable to find space to use his blazing speed or worse, was put in situations where his lack of size was exposed attempting to block pass rushers who simply overpowered him.
Lining Archer up at running back is clearly a recipe for disaster, as he simply does not have the ability to consistently run between the tackles. One can only hope that he can get more comfortable as a slot receiver where finding open space on the field will come much easier, and again, will be vital to his success as a player.
Finally, the Steelers must find a way to utilize Archer in the return game. This means giving him time to adjust to the speed of the game at the professional level, and that takes more than a handful of returns to do so. As good as Antonio Brown has been as a punt returner, it might be time to consider protecting one of the games best receivers from the dangers of the job. This means giving Archer a fair shot to prove that his world class speed and accomplishments at Kent State can translate to the NFL.
It’s time to find out what Archer can do, and putting him in position to be successful would go a long way towards silencing Archer’s vocal critics who feel selecting him in the third round was a costly mistake.
