The Steelers continued to follow their needs when they selected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the NFL draft.

One day after they used their No. 1 pick to address their defensive line, the Steelers used their only pick on Day 2 to find a replacement for Najee Harris to pair with Jaylen Warren.

It is the first time the Steelers have drafted a running back since they used their No. 1 pick in 2021 on Harris. Other than Harris, it is the highest they have selected a running back since Le’Veon Bell went in the second round in 2013.

The Steelers considered an edge rusher and quarterback in the third round, but those positions did not need as much attention as running back after the team let Harris leave in free agency. Johnson was one of nine running backs — most of any position — the Steelers invited for a pre-draft visit to the South Side.

The Steelers did not have a pick in the second round — they traded it to the Seattle Seahawks in the DK Metcalf deal — so they had to wait for 50 players to be selected Friday before they could get Johnson (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) at No. 83 overall.

It helped the Steelers that, after four running backs went among the first 38 picks, only one more was selected before Johnson.

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Kaleb Johnson

School: Iowa

Pos: RB —Ht: 6-1 —Wt: 224

About the pick: Cincinnati area native who won’t turn 22 until Aug. 14. … Big body but didn’t run a great 40-yard dash at the combine, posting a 4.57-second time. … Breakaway speed wasn’t a problem in the Big Ten, with at least one run of 65 yards or more in each of his three seasons. … Was one of nine running backs to take a pre-draft visit to the Steelers. … Didn’t have a single fumble last season but did have two drops, per Pro Football Focus. … Only caught 22 passes for 188 yards, but one of those became a 72-yard reception. … Four-star prospect coming out of Hamilton High School but didn’t start until last season as a junior. … Also played basketball and ran track in high school.