The Pittsburgh Steelers moved quickly to replace RB Kenneth Gainwell this offseason after he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, inking Rico Dowdle to a two-year deal. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (he can make NFL history if he hits that mark again), and he’ll pair with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh’s backfield. It’s a duo that SI’s Matt Verderame believes is one of the NFL’s best, ranking it No. 2 overall.

“With both Dowdle and Warren in the backfield, quarterback Aaron Rodgers can rely heavily on the ground game to set up the big play,” Verderame writes.

The duo finished behind the Los Angeles Rams’ Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who landed in the top spot.

It’s a much more positive ranking than recent ones for the Steelers’ running back room, with Warren Sharp ranking it as the 20th-best in the NFL. Warren nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards last season as well, running for 958 while adding 40 receptions. While it might seem aggressive to rank the duo as the second-best in the NFL, not many teams can boast two near-1,000-yard rushers.

Both Warren and Dowdle can also contribute in the passing game and there won’t be a drop-off if one comes in to replace the other. That’s a huge plus in the modern NFL with almost every team utilizing multiple running backs, and it’s a reason for optimism for the Steelers this season.

Strong running back rooms have been a Steelers hallmark in recent years. Before the team had Gainwell last season, Najee Harris and Warren led its backfield. A talented running back room will take pressure off Aaron Rodgers and the passing game and, as Verderame noted, can help set up big plays.

While the Steelers underwent plenty of change this offseason with a new coaching staff, keeping a strong running back room was clearly a priority. It helps that Dowdle has plenty of familiarity with HC Mike McCarthy and others, including running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr., from his time with the Dallas Cowboys.

With a revamped receiver group in addition to a strong running back room, the Steelers should be better offensively this season. That will go a long way toward their quest to repeat as AFC North champions.