Steelers: Najee Harris' value perfectly explained by Maurice Jones-Drew
Entering his third season, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has already amassed over 700 touches in both regular and postseason play. That doesn't normally happen for running backs so young into their careers, but Harris has shown that he's built different. Durability and dependability are far from givens when it comes to young ballcarriers. […]
Entering his third season, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has already amassed over 700 touches in both regular and postseason play.
That doesn't normally happen for running backs so young into their careers, but Harris has shown that he's built different.
Durability and dependability are far from givens when it comes to young ballcarriers. Whatever the Steeler have needed Harris to be, despite playing in two very different offenses, he's obliged with no issue.
It's for these reasons why former All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew had Harris as the eighth best player from the 2021 NFL Draft class. The sub-4.0 yards per carry average may weigh down Harris' standing to some, but MJD's understanding of Harris' situation helps him emphasis this very important point:
No other non-quarterback in the league has been more relied on in the last two years the Harris.
Knowing what Harris can do on a week-to-week basis, and that he's always been available, is why he stands out compared to other members of his draft class.
"Harris is no flash in the pan. He's been every bit the durable, reliable running back the Steelers had been looking for when they made him the first running back off the board. Harris has carried the load for an offense going through transition, taking immense pressure off a past-his-prime Ben Roethlisberger in 2021 and rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2022. Since entering the league, no other players has a higher percentage of team scrimmage touches (40.8%) than Harris. In fact, he leads the entire NFL in carries (579) and touches (694) during that span. Although his numbers don't necessarily jump off the box score, Harris' availability and reliability make him a huge commodity for Mike Tomlin's squad." — NFL.com's Maurice Jones-Drew
Harris ended up in front of fellow standouts Trevor Lawrence and Devonta Smith, the later being his collegiate teammate from Alabama. Both players showed immense promise in their second seasons, but Harris' established consistency gave him the nod in MJD's eyes.
But Harris is so far from hitting his peak. Now behind an improved offensive line and playing in the same system for a second-straight season, 2023 figures to be Harris' best season yet.
The production and efficiency is on track to match with who he really is.
Najee Harris partners with Derrick Henry to protest crazy NFL trend
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Featured image via © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
