Steelers: ESPN names Najee Harris as Pittsburgh's biggest draft winner
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a backfield duo of Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris that they hope to keep intact for some time. Part of that plan is adding to the protection and run blocking that will impact those two. The Steelers did just that in last week's draft when they traded up to select Broderick […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a backfield duo of Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris that they hope to keep intact for some time. Part of that plan is adding to the protection and run blocking that will impact those two.
The Steelers did just that in last week's draft when they traded up to select Broderick Jones at 14th overall. That immediately made Kenny Pickett a winner in my estimation, but Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes the biggest winner was Najee Harris.
In his 2023 NFL draft winners, losers: Players most impacted by rookies piece for ESPN, Barnwell explained why Najee Harris was the team's biggest winner saying the following:
One back who hasn't impressed after being drafted in the first round is Harris, who has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry over his first two seasons, said Barnwell. A middling offensive line hasn't helped, but he has generated minus-129 RYOE over that stretch, suggesting that an average back with the same blocking would have been more productive. Jaylen Warren, Harris's backup a year ago, posted 31 RYOE across 77 carries.
There were rumors the Steelers might consider using a draft pick on a runner to push Harris this season, but new general manager Omar Khan didn't select one, added Barnwell. Instead, Khan moved up in the first round to take tackle Broderick Jones, who is expected to immediately step in on Kenny Pickett's blindside and push overmatched 2022 starter Dan Moore into a rotational role.
With guard Isaac Seumalo joining from the Eagles in free agency, Harris will have a much better chance of delivering on lofty expectations in what could be a make-or-break 2023 campaign.
Ton's to unpack there but how about the notion that Pittsburgh was "rumored" to potentially draft another back? Steelers fans know that Najee was not the same player last year his rookie year.
He looked like he lost a step, and didn't hit his stride until later in the season when the offensive line started to mold into a serviceable unit. In reality though, Harris did lose a step but not because of what you think.
Najee opened up camp with a lis-franc injury, one that he played through for the duration of the year. So it was no coincidence that as the injury healed, and the offensive line improved, so did he.
And the Steelers know that, making the decision to add offensive line help an important one for both Pickett and Najee. Now, this will be a big year for Najee, as he approaches his third season with the team forced to decide on his fifth-year option next spring. But a healthy and motivated Najee will be a force in my opinion, the kind that makes Steelers fans get out of their seats on Sundays. We will find out soon enough.
