Basic Stats
| ADP | Rush Atts | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | 100 | Fum | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 275 | 1110 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 45 | 361 | 2 |
DS 3D Projections
Preseason Player AnalysisWhat You Need to Know:
-An elite recruit, Harris (6’2, 230) committed to Alabama and stayed for 4 years.
-The 23-year-old took on a larger role over the past 2 seasons, totaling 460 carries, 2,690 yards and 39 TDs. He added 70-729-11 receiving and showed excellent skills in that area — especially for a bigger back.
-He finished his Alabama career with school records for rushing yards, rushing TDs and total TDs. Harris won the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top RB) for his senior campaign and earned consensus All-American status.
-Harris lacks high-end long speed, but he’s an excellent athlete with top-end elusiveness.
-He played through an ankle injury late in 2020 and didn’t test during the pre-draft process.
-Pittsburgh saw enough to select him 24th overall as the RB1 (ahead of Travis Etienne/Javonte Williams). He participated in May OTAs.
-In Pittsburgh, he profiles as a clear workhorse.
-If there’s a road block, it’s a potential injury to Ben Roethlisberger (now 39). The Steelers’ O-line also lacks proven talent following the losses of Alejandro Villanueva, Maurkice Pouncey and Matt Feiler.
-The Steelers lack a true handcuff, with Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland and Kalen Ballage sitting behind the rookie. McFarland’s worth watching, as he played under new OC Matt Canada at Maryland.
-Canada — who was Pittsburgh’s QB coach last year — is expected to utilize more pre-snap motion. Harris commented in May that Pittsburgh’s blocking scheme “resembles a lot of what we [Alabama] did.”
-Le’Veon Bell averaged 25 touches per game as a Steeler from 2013-2017. That’s just partial proof of HC Mike Tomlin’s desire to use 1 primary back, and it’s certainly within the range of outcomes for Harris.
Draft Sharks Bottom Line
In college, Harris checked boxes for tape, production, and size. Now in the pros, he’s poised to see high-end run volume immediately. That’ll help override any efficiency troubles due to a transitioning O-line.
Now, if Ben Roethlisberger can stay on the field, Harris will have a clear shot at RB1 value. He’s just not coming at a discount with a mid- Round 2 ADP.
Harris looks comfortable in offense
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been impressed by how rookie RB Najee Harris has settled into the offense. "He doesn't seem lost. It's not too big for him. His head's not spinning," Roethlisberger said. "The most exciting part is once he gets it and it clicks and he goes full speed, it's going to be something to see." Harris has already made a few highlight-reel grabs in practice and is set up for a big workload right out of the gate. There's RB1 upside here.
Harris plays some WR at rookie camp
Steelers RB Najee Harris played some 'X' receiver and slot receiver at rookie minicamp over the weekend, according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly. "It appears that Harris will be used in the passing game as well and as more than just a checkdown option out of the backfield," Kaboly wrote. Harris racked up 70 catches over his final 2 seasons at Alabama and put some impressive receiving ability on tape. We're expecting him to immediately handle the majority of the ball-carrying and pass-catching work in Pittsburgh's backfield this season. The rookie has easy RB1 upside.
Harris a "3-down back"
New Steeler Najee Harris got the "3-down back" label from GM Kevin Colbert on Thursday night. “He’s a three-down back that played in an NFL system,” Colbert said after taking Harris 24th overall. “His one hidden trait is that he finds invisible yards at that second level. There are times when you think he should be going down and he finds 6, 7, 8 yards. It is really exciting to get a three-down back and add him to the team.” This is a "3-down back" label we can buy into considering Harris will be competing for touches with Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland. Pittsburgh's offensive line figures to be a problem for Harris. But volume trumps all in fantasy football, and the rookie has a shot to finish top 10 in total touches this season.
Steelers land Harris
Alabama RB Najee Harris landed with the Steelers at Pick #24 of the 2021 NFL Draft. The #1 overall recruit in the 2017 class, Harris had to wait behind some other star backs at Alabama before taking over the backfield the past 2 years. He finished his college career, though, with school records for rushing yards, rushing TDs and total TDs. Harris adds a stronger receiving profile than you’d normally find in a 230-pound back. His 70 receptions over the past 2 seasons produced 10.4 yards per catch and 11 TDs, and they included plenty of WR-type plays downfield. Adding 1st-round draft capital makes Harris a strong bet to load up on touches right away. And he has very little competition for touches in Pittsburgh. The concern is an offensive line that ranked dead last in Football Outsiders’ Adjusted Line Yards last year. Still, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Harris score at the RB1 level in fantasy immediately.
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