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RB Najee Harris, PIT (2 Viewers)

Andy Dufresne said:
It's an eye test thing. :shrug:

Etienne looks good in an open field. Harris looks way better in traffic.
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Well my mind if far from made up about that. I need to spend more time watching them.

I did just watch highlights from 2020 of first Etienne then Harris. I am more impressed with Etiennes hip flexibility and change of direction than I am Harris.

Harris has an upright running style that I do not like. He does have good footwork though and he used the spin move multiple times to good effect which is something I didn't see from him as much from years prior.

Both of them seem to be good receiving options although again I think Etienne has better change of direction ability and as such runs better routes than Harris does.

I am a sucker for the loose hips that can make you look silly though. Always have been.

I was expecting to be more impressed with Harris than I was based on some of the comments by MAC and others about his game improving from previous seasons. I mostly saw the same guy I watched before and I might prefer Damien Harris to him.

 
Pro Football Focus ranks the top-five running backs for the 2021 NFL Draft

Excerpt:

3. NAJEE HARRIS, ALABAMA

Harris is one of the most decorated players in recent Alabama history. The former five-star recruit and No. 2 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite from the class of 2017, Harris had a season for the ages. In 13 games, he had  251 carries, 1,466 yards (5.8 average), 24 touchdowns (5.8 average) and also played a big part in the passing game. He hauled in 43 catches for 425 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

“Najee Harris can now come out of the backfield and catch passes. … He probably doesn’t get the amount of credit that he deserves,” ESPN college football analyst Joey Galloway said leading up to the Crimson Tide’s semifinal game against Notre Dame. “You rarely ever see Najee Harris get tackled by one guy. And I think when you talk running backs, that is the key. How many guys can you make miss and how many yards do you get after contact? Najee Harris is terrific at it.”
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NFL Draft and free agency news and rumors from the 2021 Senior Bowl

Excerpt:

Najee Harris drawing the attention of two teams

While much of the talk on social media this morning centered around DeVonta Smith’s refusal to step on the scale, one of his Alabama teammates is drawing praise from scouts even before the first practice.

Running back Najee Harris measured just under 6’2” this morning and tipped the scales at an impressive-looking 230 pounds. His arm length (33 3/8 inches) and hand measurement (10 inches) also stood out. The latter evidence, in part, explains why Harris is such a good receiver out of the backfield.

Sources say Harris is here for interviews and not expected to take part in practice this week. In the early going, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins have shown a lot of interest in Harris.

This makes sense as both teams draft in the bottom half of Round 1, exactly where I presently grade Harris on my board. The Alabama senior is a perfect fit for the Steelers’ offense and he also fits a major need for the Dolphins’ offense.
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Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2021 NFL Draft prospect rankings 1.0

Excerpt:

22) Najee Harris, RB

School: Alabama | Year: Senior

Harris is a big, smooth running back who posted outstanding production during his Alabama career. He is very patient to let holes develop before sliding through the line of scrimmage on inside runs. He has tremendous contact balance, routinely absorbing a hit and finishing runs. He doesn't have the juice to really stretch to the boundary on outside runs, preferring to quickly get his shoulders squared and turn upfield. He is sneaky elusive in space, though, and can drop his shoulder to run through tacklers. He's an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. He runs clean routes and has the ability to high-point the ball down the field. He's aware and dependable in pass protection. Overall, Harris isn't a home run hitter, but he's a very skilled runner with excellent value in the passing game. I see similarities to former Chicago Bears star Matt Forte when he was coming out of college.
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Alabama RB Najee Harris decided to practice at the Senior Bowl against the advice of his agents.

This according to NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, who said Harris "couldn’t be at the Senior Bowl and not compete." In actuality, it appears that Harris didn't go through full-blown practice, but did work on the side. After a long run to the title, there is no reason to risk excessive wear-and-tear. Either way, it's nice to see Harris participating in the event as he attempts to solidify his argument for RB1 in the spring. Daniel Jeremiah compares Harris to Matt Forte and ranks him No. 22 overall in the class. 

SOURCE: Joe Schad on Twitter

Jan 27, 2021, 12:16 PM ET
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Here is how I view Najee Harris in dynasty leagues.  If you're a team that is a contender, but just happened to trade for the 1.01, then I don't blame you for taking Harris.  However, if you're a rebuilding team that is a few years away and you have the 1.01, I don't think I would take Harris due to age.  He will be 27 years old by the time his rookie contract is up.  If you have this type of team and need help everywhere, I would take Ja'Marr Chase at the 1.01.  If you're this type of team and have zero running backs, I would consider Javonte Williams at 1.01.  Yes, over Etienne, who I see as a straight line runner that I doubt his vision and may never be a bell cow RB due to his size.  I'm not saying Etienne will be a bust and will probably do very well in PPR leagues, but I just prefer Williams because he's 20 years old, breaks tackles better than anyone, and his contact balance is outstanding.  Plus he has receiving  chops.

 
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JohnnyU said:
Here is how I view Najee Harris in dynasty leagues.  If you're a team that is a contender, but just happened to trade for the 1.01, then I don't blame you for taking Harris.  However, if you're a rebuilding team that is a few years away and you have the 1.01, I don't think I would take Harris due to age.  He will be 27 years old by the time his rookie contract is up.  If you have this type of team and need help everywhere, I would take Ja'Marr Chase at the 1.01.  If you're this type of team and have zero running backs, I would consider Javonte Williams at 1.01.  Yes, over Etienne, who I see as a straight line runner that I doubt his vision and may never be a bell cow RB due to his size.  I'm not saying Etienne will be a bust and will probably do very well in PPR leagues, but I just prefer Williams because he's 20 years old, breaks tackles better than anyone, and his contact balance is outstanding.  Plus he has receiving  chops.
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I actually agree with everything you are saying here on your player assessments but I would not agree on not taking Najee at 1.1 if you are in a rebuild just because of his age. I've brought up his age early as what I currently view as his biggest negative so I'm not unaware of it or dismissive of it but right now if you looked at most top 5 valued dynasty RB's it includes CMC, Dalvin and Alvin and  sometimes Henry not far behind and those RB's are all 26-27.

If you think Najee is the best player, the most potentially impactful player, I think you'll have plenty of time to move him for a haul that helps you rebuild or be a key piece in it if you keep him.

I got 1.1 in a league that is not a rebuild but I'm probably 1-2 years away because I have a bunch of older players like Julio , AB and getting older  Michael Thomas. If Najee lands well he's probably ideal for me because way I view him he has best skill set and ability to help me now and waste potentially last viable or year of some of these older WR's and then if need be hopefully someone I can flip while he's 24-25 for a haul to help facilitate what is likely a rebuild. Nothing in my leagues is easier to trade then a productive fairly young RB.

 
menobrown said:
I actually agree with everything you are saying here on your player assessments but I would not agree on not taking Najee at 1.1 if you are in a rebuild just because of his age. I've brought up his age early as what I currently view as his biggest negative so I'm not unaware of it or dismissive of it but right now if you looked at most top 5 valued dynasty RB's it includes CMC, Dalvin and Alvin and  sometimes Henry not far behind and those RB's are all 26-27.

If you think Najee is the best player, the most potentially impactful player, I think you'll have plenty of time to move him for a haul that helps you rebuild or be a key piece in it if you keep him.

I got 1.1 in a league that is not a rebuild but I'm probably 1-2 years away because I have a bunch of older players like Julio , AB and getting older  Michael Thomas. If Najee lands well he's probably ideal for me because way I view him he has best skill set and ability to help me now and waste potentially last viable or year of some of these older WR's and then if need be hopefully someone I can flip while he's 24-25 for a haul to help facilitate what is likely a rebuild. Nothing in my leagues is easier to trade then a productive fairly young RB.
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Taking into account that I may have to move Harris in a trade because he won't coincide with my team construction to compete at the right time, in my opinion it is either better to trade him before drafting him, or take a younger player like Chase or Williams, rather than drafting Harris with the intent on trading him after his age 24 or 25 season.  I'm not a fan of Etienne over those two for the reasons I've already posted in other threads.

 
Top Three Running Backs in the NFL Draft

Excerpt:

1. Najee Harris

The best running back of the top three running backs in the NFL draft is Najee Harris. Before the college football season, Najee Harris was predicted to be a top-five running back, but not the first one overall. After this season, he has proved his value and his worth.

He was a crucial part of Alabama’s offense in their journey to winning another National Championship. He stepped in key games for Alabama. In the SEC Championship, Rose Bowl, and CFB championship, he rushed for a total of 382 yards, along with a mindblowing eight total touchdowns.

Before these important games, Najee Harris was also phenomenal. In the regular season, he had 1,466 rushing yards which were third among all college running backs. He also had 5.8 yards per carry and led all running backs with 26 total touchdowns. Many scouts wanted Najee Harris to be more than just a rusher, and he did just that as he had 425 receiving yards while 176 of those came in the three most important games of Alabama’s season.

Aside from his statistics, Najee Harris is a well-built running back at 6′ 2″, 230 pounds. His size helps him muscle through defenders and is a reason for many people to compare him to former Alabama alumni and NFL superstar, Derrick Henry. Though Derrick Henry is a better rusher overall, Najee Harris is a better pass catcher and is more athletic.

Najee Harris is an athletic pass-catching back, that also runs like a truck. He has great vision, is a leader, is experienced, and most importantly he steps up in pressure-filled games. He is well-deserving of the number one ranking amongst running backs and should be drafted in the late first round.
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In his most recent mock draft, NFL.com analyst Charley Casserly projected the Atlanta Falcons to trade back to No. 8 in order to select Alabama RB Najee Harris.

This hypothetical trade would see Atlanta working a deal with Carolina, whom Casserly has bumping up for NDSU QB Trey Lance. If Harris was, indeed, the pick, it would mark the first running back selected in the top 10 since the Giants swiped Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in 2018. Earlier this week, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. also mocked the Falcons to make a trade. Just not in the same direction. Rather, Kiper engineered an Atlanta deal with the Jets in order for the Dirty Birds to draft BYU QB Zach Wilson with the No. 2 selection. 

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 26, 2021, 12:39 PM ET
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I love quoting this so stop me if you've heard this one about Charlie Casserly...Oh, nobody's heard it? Okay, then.

"Nobody's been more wrong more times than Charlie Casserly" - Bill Belichick

Seriously. This guy spearheaded the Jets search for Mike Maccagnan as GM. Do you know how many second rounders in his three years that still play in the NFL?

Probably one. Maybe not even. Just went off like a bomb in NY without any results but a pocketful of cash and a resume shaper, that's for sure.

https://www.ganggreennation.com/2019/5/17/18629056/new-york-jets-how-bad-was-mike-maccagnans-draft-performance-stats-on-maccagnan-drafts-2015-2018

 
Campbell is old school...they should draft Harris in the first and Williams in the second and go all in on the wish bone.

 
Josh Jacobs "should be on the field in 3rd and long situations, " but he isn't. 

These guys need to be elite in the passing game to beat out the pass catching specialists so I am skeptical of his true workhorse projected workload. 

I don't hate him, but he's being elevated up too high in the places I've seen.   The draft pick that will become him is going in the 2nd round of Superflex dynasty startups while Josh Jacobs is going in the 5th.

 
Najee Harris Compared to Derrick Henry; NFL Scout Says He's Best Player in Draft

Najee Harris is the latest in a long line of Alabama running backs coming into the NFL with a lot of hype, with one scout comparing the 2020 Doak Walker Award winner to arguably the best back in the league.

Per Bob McGinn of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL scout called Harris the best player in the draft and brought up Derrick Henry's name.

"Reminds me of Derrick Henry," the scout told McGinn. "I have a feeling he'll run in the 4.5 [in the 40] because he runs away from people in that league [the SEC], and that league I know has speed. Only negative I had was he absorbs punishment because he likes to run through tacklers instead of going around them."
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Kelly: Dolphins need Alabama standout Harris to complete this offensive makeover | Commentary

Excerpt:

However, allow me to make the argument why it should be an Alabama tailback, and not one of their speedy receivers.

Here’s an often ignored truth about the Dolphins.

It has been Miami’s stagnant rushing attack that held has this offense back in recent years.

Fuller’s signing should allow Miami’s focus to shift to the run game struggles, which have been consistent since 2017, when the franchise decided to banish Jay Ajayi, the catalyst for Miami’s 2016 playoff push, because of his battle of egos with former coach Adam Gase.

The Dolphins’ rushing attack has been a disaster ever since, and it is not because Miami hasn’t had talent in the backfield.

Arizona figured out how to turn Kenyan Drake into a 1,000-yard producer and 10 touchdown scorer last season, after the Dolphins traded him to the Cardinals for a late-round pick that turned into Matt Breida.

Miami seemingly blamed the run-game problems on the offensive line, and renovated the unit last season with two free agent additions and three early-round draftees last offseason.

But the struggles continued as a former Pro Bowl pick (Jordan Howard) signed last offseason couldn’t get out of second gear, and the big-play producer the Dolphins traded for, Breida, consistently misfired.

Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, two former University of Washington standouts who propped up last year’s rushing attack, collectively contributed 903 rushing yards and eight touchdown on 217 carries. And there’s a possibility that Gaskin and Ahmed could do more, and that Malcolm Brown, a free agent Miami signed this week, could thrive in this offseason.

But what if they don’t and can’t?

The first letter in the RPO offense the Dolphins use stands for “Run,” and its because the run game sets the table for every other element of this offensive style.

A Run-Pass-Option offense doesn’t work well without a reliable run game.

That’s why Miami should aim to improve the running game to rank among the league’s 10 best.

Former Alabama standout Najee Harris can make that happen. Harris is what the Dolphins need to complete this offensive makeover because he’s the kind of talent the Dolphins have lacked since Ajayi.

Harris, who owns most of the Crimson Tide’s rushing records, is as close to 2,000-yard-rusher Derrick Henry as it gets. A powerful open-field runner with good hands is exactly what Miami needs to serve as the engine of this offense.

Other tailbacks can help the Dolphins perk up the running game. But Harris has the talent to serve as the catalyst for the Dolphins’ entire offense, and that’s the type of first-round selection that turns a rebuilding team like the Dolphins into a perennial playoff participant.
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Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are all high on Alabama RB Najee Harris.

Pauline initially forwarded the Steelers and Dolphins as players for Harris back during the Senior Bowl. And that, the analyst writes in this week's mailbag, has not changed in the interim. He is now hearing that the Bills could be in on the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Alabama standout, too. The Steelers and Bills (pick Nos. 24 and 30, respectively) are right in range for Harris near the end of the first round. Miami's spot is slightly trickier for a running back -- they hold two Day 1 picks, No. 3 and No. 18 -- simply because they're picking higher. A trade down by the Dolphins from that No. 18 selection, if Harris is their target come the draft, would make sense.

SOURCE: Pro Football Network

Mar 26, 2021, 12:30 PM ET
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