Najee Harris

Harris will probably never be one of the league's more explosive runners, but he's a steadying presence and capable of taking 20-plus carries whenever the Steelers need him to. His ability to soak up so many grinding carries between the tackles is a real asset to the Steelers offense, which uses Harris like a series of jabs meant to set up a bigger strike once the defense goes to block the jab. Useful as he might be for assembling the structure of the offense, Harris' fantasy prospects are pointed downward relative to his 2021 rookie year, when the first-round pick claimed 307 carries and 94 targets. The emergence of Jaylen Warren as the team's preferred passing-down and general in-space back has badly drained Harris' target share in the Pittsburgh offense, and Warren's monopoly on draw-type carries makes it difficult for Harris to juice his rushing average against light defensive fronts. Harris saw only 255 carries and 37 targets in 2023, and that theme of limitation will exist as long as Warren is present even with the Steelers hiring run-first offensive coordinator Arthur Smith this offseason.

The constant smothering from defenses caught up with Harris in 2022, leaving the normally durable 232-pound back nicked up in ways he hadn't dealt with previously, even as he played all 17 games for a second time in two NFL seasons. Running in the sluggish Pittsburgh offense was difficult enough – Harris didn't need the Lisfranc sprain he suffered in training camp and played through for an unspecified amount of the season, nor did he need the oblique and hip injuries he played through later. Considering the circumstances, Harris was rather impressive. That he's not higher in the fantasy rankings is mostly an acknowledgment of the fact Pittsburgh's passing game isn't scaring anyone and defenses will continue to gun for Harris, potentially leaving him as a high-volume, low-efficiency RB for a third straight season. The good news is that the volume isn't really in question, especially if he can manage to stay a bit healthier. The Steelers didn't sign or draft any backfield competition, instead focusing on blocking with the additions of former Eagles G Isaac Seumalo, rookie T Broderick Jones (14th overall) and 264-pound rookie TE Darnell Washington (93rd). The new big bodies should help Harris and backup Jaylen Warren, not to mention second-year QB Kenny Pickett.

Volume was the biggest selling point for Harris in fantasy drafts last year after the Alabama product became the 24th overall pick, and Mike Tomlin didn't disappoint as the rookie was a huge part of the Pittsburgh offense right away. Harris was the only player other than Jonathan Taylor to top 300 carries last season, and the rookie's 94 targets tied with Austin Ekeler to lead running backs. Harris' 3.9 yards per carry was disappointing, and his other efficiency stats weren't much better, but he faced tough circumstances between a subpar offensive line and a passing game with little vertical element. Ben Roethlisberger's retirement won't necessarily improve things — especially with Mitchell Trubisky or rookie Kenny Pickett taking over under center — but the roster still offers little competition for touches behind Harris, who could have slightly better blocking this season after the Steelers signed C Mason Cole and G James Daniels. Harris ran for only 1.7 yards before contact per carry last year, ranking 49th of 53 qualified RBs, and better blocking would give the 232-pounder more opportunities to run over defensive backs in the open field. Combined with another huge workload, it's a formula for big- time production if the Pittsburgh offense takes even a modest step forward.

The latest product of Nick Saban's running back factory, Harris is a big, athletic runner who offers three-down potential in the NFL. His ability to run through would-be tacklers (or, in the case of one poor Notre Dame defender featured in endless replays, hurdle over them) jumps out from his tape, but Harris also features some elusiveness and burst through traffic that allows him to pick up plenty of extra yards, even if his lack of top-end speed keeps him from being a consistent home-run threat. Harris seems to be more of an instinctive runner than one with well-developed vision, but either way he can find an opening and hit it. He's put in work to become better as a pass catcher and blocker, but he's simply adequate at both and not a difference-maker. The track record of Crimson Tide backs is a very good one in recent years, and Harris has the skills to establish himself as a three-down back in Pittsburgh after becoming the first running back off the board in the 2021 draft (24th overall). Given his size and running style, a career like that of former Rams star Steven Jackson wouldn't be surprising.