RB Najee Harris, LAC (5 Viewers)

[King of the Jungle]

Should be some stacked fronts unless they start getting Herbert some targets to throw to, but Najee should see a good amount of touches regardless.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Najee is the only NFL tailback to play all 68 regular season games the last 4 years

(there's one FB who also did this)

there, I found something nice to say about him

 

[crushedspirit]

Steelers utilized too much zone with Najee, so with Roman and a more gap heavy scheme, look for an increase in production.

This was probably his best fit.

 

[menobrown]

Najee is the only NFL tailback to play all 68 regular season games the last 4 years

(there's one FB who also did this)

there, I found something nice to say about him

Also I believe the only RB to rush for 1K or more yards each of the last 4 seasons.

5th in rushing in the league since he entered it.

Of course the durability is a big assist for the production.

 

[MAC_32]

What I would ask anyone who does not like the landing spot for Najee to please list the other places you'd have preferred to see him go.

I got one and I never thought it possible as I don't think they are in the market to pay a veteran RB.

Chargers would have been my second best option if I could have picked any team for him to land. ETA-and it's a superclose second.

Whatever happens after this with Chargers or any other team with RB additions we don't know. Just saying based on what we know right now I'd be curious exactly where other people would have preferred.

Totally depends on what else they do between now and the end of April.

All RB's are volume plays, but even moreso for him since he's incapable of creating explosive plays. He was a good player in our game when he net ~22 touches per game and 94 targets as a rook. Thereafter when he tailed to ~17 per and 40some targets give or take, not so much. Regardless, an additional variable needing considered are those targets - are the Bolts are going to use him more in the passing game than JK's 38 targets?

So, what alternative destinations would've been better? We'll see what else the team does at the position. If it's him / Vidal / Haskins / day 3 rook, probably none - that tells me they see him like they saw Frank Gore when they were in SF. But if they commit meaningful capital to anyone else he quickly becomes an undesirable starter / worthwhile depth.

 

[JohnnyU]

I will be heavily investing in Najee in redraft if his value is right.

They’re gonna run him into the ground.

Interesting, so much so it had me thinking how durable Harris ha been thus far. Why do I have this bad feeling about him just when everyone is so excited about this signing?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I will be heavily investing in Najee in redraft if his value is right.

They’re gonna run him into the ground.

Interesting, so much so it had me thinking how durable Harris ha been thus far. Why do I have this bad feeling about him just when everyone is so excited about this signing?

IMO he’s everything Harbaugh tried to make Gus Edward’s into, but couldn’t.

Najee is durable, boring, and will get 300 touches in what should be an improved LAC offense after Harbaugh drafts OL early & often.

Put me down for 1200+ RuYd & 10 RuTD, with ~30 receptions sprinkled in for good measure. Rock solid RB2 for FF.

I see nothing but upside if he’s a 4th round pick or later in redraft.

 

[sm8680]

NFL analyst shares crazy stat about Steelers run game​

Cheat Sheet on 2023 offense

Najee was a Steeler for 4 years. Took a lot of heat because of how inept the offense is. At times he was running against a stacked box. The opposing defense at times either knew the play or that it was a run due to Matt Canada simple minded game plans where he didn't get input from other offensive coaches.

On the Wfan chatterbox kept going off on Najee because he never had a run longer than 39 yards. Najee ran a 40 time of 4.45. Not great but not horrible. I don't gamble but I believe he has a far better chance of having a run of greater than 40 yards or more with Herbert under center.

 

[Grid71]

Steelers utilized too much zone with Najee, so with Roman and a more gap heavy scheme, look for an increase in production.

This was probably his best fit.

This! Najee is not a good fit for wide zone or zone in general. Give him some momentum running north/south and he is far more effective.

 

[Buckna]

Good for Najee owners, should be a lot of touches at least. But he's a plodder and honestly think there would have been better RB's for the Chargers offense. But Harbaugh likes his ground and pound and probably likes Najee's ability to stay healthy vs a guy like Dobbins last year who never stays healthy.

 

[menobrown]

the Wfan chatterbox kept going off on Najee because he never had a run longer than 39 yards

He may never have run for a 40+ yard run but that's probably an overblown stat.

He got a lot better at explosive runs and surprisingly was tied for 5th last year in 20+yard runs and was also 5th in 2023. Over the last two years he's tied for 4th overall in runs with 20 or more yards.

The guy he's tied in 20 yard runs with is James Conner who had exactly one run over over 40 yards during his time with the Steelers and a grand total of 4 in his entire career. He's interesting to bring up as he's as similar style of player as Najee who went out West at similar point in his career and never looked better. Can Najee become a healthy version of Conner?

In terms of overall explosive runs(10 yards or more) Najee was tied for 8th best in the league last year with Taylor, only 3 behind 4th place(Bijan) and this is not so much a volume thing as both of those RB's had 40 more carries then Najee. He was tied for 10th in this stat in 2023.

Near as I can tell he lost some weight from his first two seasons because he felt he needed the body armor to carry the massive volume but then moved into more of a RBBC with Warren. Since he's done that's he's been one of the better explosive RB's in the league, just has not been able to break a long run.

 

[joey]

Can Najee become a healthy version of Conner?

From your mouth to the spaghetti monster’s ears!!
Best case scenario for Najee. I’ve been riding Conner for 4 years in our SharkPool FFPC league and he’s been a bargain the whole time.

 

[Payne]

He’s a plodder

He WAS a plodder on a team that hasn't had a O Line in years. Also no real threat from the QB position.

Let's see how he does with a very good O line and a stud QB.

 

[IHEARTFF]

Just got him as rb25 round 6 ppr bb

 

[Nick Vermeil]

He’s a plodder

Let's see how he does with a very good O line

Which team are we talking about here?

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

I will be heavily investing in Najee in redraft if his value is right.

They’re gonna run him into the ground.

He’ll probably be a value pick as owners go after more hyped players. A good target at a serpentine or auction draft.

 

[pinkstapler]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

 

[Payne]

He’s a plodder

Let's see how he does with a very good O line

Which team are we talking about here?

Is this sarcasm? The Chargers. The O Line FBG themselves have ranked #7.
They are MUCH better than the Steelers.

 

[-OZ-]

He’s a plodder

He WAS a plodder on a team that hasn't had a O Line in years. Also no real threat from the QB position.

Let's see how he does with a very good O line and a stud QB.

Could be a top offense if they add a better deep threat but najee couldn’t land in a better spot and Harbaugh couldn’t have gotten a better value for what he wants.

 

[Payne]

He’s a plodder

He WAS a plodder on a team that hasn't had a O Line in years. Also no real threat from the QB position.

Let's see how he does with a very good O line and a stud QB.

Could be a top offense if they add a better deep threat but najee couldn’t land in a better spot and Harbaugh couldn’t have gotten a better value for what he wants.

If the Chargers get Engram and either draft a WR or sign one to go along with Johnston and McConkey the offense could be pretty good.

I don't see the downside here at all. Better O Line, currently nobody to share carries with and a coach who we know will use him.

 

[travdogg]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He’s a plodder

He WAS a plodder on a team that hasn't had a O Line in years. Also no real threat from the QB position.

Let's see how he does with a very good O line and a stud QB.

He also plodded for 4 YPC average last year, 3.9 for his career— which is better than quite a few RBs held in much higher esteem by the FF community.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team

Definitely. Purely situational, and if you have the depth and/or aren’t a win-now roster, you could see excellent return. I’d try to do it before the draft while the hype is at its peak.

OTOH, if you’re in a window and need a RB2, he’s a great acquisition target. Late 2nd, early 3rd? Maybe that & change gets it done?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Just got him as rb25 round 6 ppr bb

You get 6 points per reception?!

 

[travdogg]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

Vidal isn't a lock to make the team. I think they'll want someone much more talented than Vidal.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

He’s a plodder

Let's see how he does with a very good O line

Which team are we talking about here?

Is this sarcasm? The Chargers. The O Line FBG themselves have ranked #7.
They are MUCH better than the Steelers.

Not sarcasm. I wouldn't classify the Chargers Line as "Very Good" personally. They have very good tackles and average at best interior linemen. We'll have to see what they do in free agency if they can shoot the lock of the wallet.

 

[Ray_T]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

Vidal isn't a lock to make the team. I think they'll want someone much more talented than Vidal.

well, this is the draft to do it.

I dont think the team is giving up on Vidal but if they let Dobbins go I would say their chances of taking a RB in the draft are pretty close to 100%

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

Vidal isn't a lock to make the team. I think they'll want someone much more talented than Vidal.

well, this is the draft to do it.

I dont think the team is giving up on Vidal but if they let Dobbins go I would say their chances of taking a RB in the draft are pretty close to 100%

Either way, IMO Najee’s role is secure. 2 down back, short yardage, occasional dump off.

 

[pinkstapler]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

Vidal isn't a lock to make the team. I think they'll want someone much more talented than Vidal.

well, this is the draft to do it.

I dont think the team is giving up on Vidal but if they let Dobbins go I would say their chances of taking a RB in the draft are pretty close to 100%

Either way, IMO Najee’s role is secure. 2 down back, short yardage, occasional dump off.

I'd even give him the capability of 3rd down role in some scenarios/drives. He was an above average catcher and route runner out of the backfield his first season in Pitt. And then for whatever reason Matt Canada just stopped having him do it as much. Unless Najee suddenly lost that part of his game, but that feels unlikely. But one of the perks of him only having a one year deal, the Chargers don't have a major incentive to not just squeeze every drop from him and run him into the ground.

 

[Ray_T]

So kind of taking in both sides of the argument here on Najee it feels like a great target in redraft, a win now guy for playoff bound rosters in dynasty, and a screaming sell for everyone else in dynasty. He's already jumped from RB36 to RB30 since the trade. I think this could go up to a consensus ranking as a mid RB2 pretty easily in the next month. This would mark his highest value since pre-2023 season and probably a great time to shove him off to a RB needy team. You could roll the dice and hope for some bad rookie landing spots in the draft and that Chargers don't invest in one in the first 3 rounds and probably squeeze some more juice out of him in the market; but I think if you're not set up for a deep playoff run in your leagues this is a prime opportunity to sell at a high. If he does just plod his way to another low end RB2 season in a much better situation in LA I think you see his trade value cut in half. Especially considering at that point he'll be a FA again and 28 years old.

I think the Chargers are extremely likely to take a RB by round 4. A speedy compliment would make sense.

Isn’t Vidal already that guy?

Vidal isn't a lock to make the team. I think they'll want someone much more talented than Vidal.

well, this is the draft to do it.

I dont think the team is giving up on Vidal but if they let Dobbins go I would say their chances of taking a RB in the draft are pretty close to 100%

Either way, IMO Najee’s role is secure. 2 down back, short yardage, occasional dump off.

I'd even give him the capability of 3rd down role in some scenarios/drives. He was an above average catcher and route runner out of the backfield his first season in Pitt. And then for whatever reason Matt Canada just stopped having him do it as much. Unless Najee suddenly lost that part of his game, but that feels unlikely. But one of the perks of him only having a one year deal, the Chargers don't have a major incentive to not just squeeze every drop from him and run him into the ground.

he blocks well, so third down isnt out of the question.

hes also going to a more dynamic offense so Id expect his production in terms of yard per carry to be better.