The passing game in Alabama got a lot of attention for its final national championship run with Nick Saban thanks to Heisman winner DeVonta Smith and quarterback Mac Jones. But the Crimson Tide also featured its newest elite, Najee Harris.
Harris (6-2, 230 pounds) had 1,466 yards of rushing and 26 touchdowns in 13 games. He also added 43 catches for 425 additional yards and four more TDs. He was an integral part of balancing and preparing favorable depth shots for Smith and swift field porter Jaylen Waddle.
MORE ALABAMA DESIGN FITS: QB Mac Jones | WR DeVonta Smith
Smith, Waddle and Jones are all expected to advance to the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. There’s also a chance Harris might fall off the board on the night of April 29th.
Harris is a sturdy, strong runner with logs for the legs. But he has also proven to be nimble and quick to shift into second gear in the open. Harris can either run through or around defenders. He has worked to become a reliable asset in the passing game with his hands, routes, and blockages.
Youngest Bama defenders Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Damien Harris (Patriots) had their NFL runner moments early in their careers, but Najee Harris could be a better mix of their two all-around skills. Here are Najee Harris’s best pro landing spots:
Najee Harris’ best NFL draft fits
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (# 31 overall)
The Buccaneers have re-signed almost every key member of their Super Bowl 55 winning team, with the exception of Leonard Fournette. You have a void for a complementary runner to Ronald Jones who can also be an important factor in catching passes from Tom Brady. The Bucs are well positioned for a “luxury choice” in the first round versus a non-desperate need like defensive tackle.
It might depend on which back they like more for Brady – Clemson’s Travis Etienne, a slightly more dynamic reception threat, or Harris, a complete power back with underrated reception skills in Fournette form.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (# 24)
The Steelers have not re-signed James Conner and have no plans to put Benny Snell Jr. in a massive role. You need to think about offensive tackle early on to find a potential immediate starter at Zach Banner, but since their passing game at Ben Roethlisberger continues to have limitations, they could use a permanent, powerful every-down option to improve their running game.
Harris would be an ideal solution to hammer between the duels and offer Big Ben a reliable exit even on third descents. He has the right last name to be successful in Pittsburgh’s backfield.
3. New York Jets (No. 23 or No. 34)
The Jets will likely think of No. 2 quarterback when moving away from Sam Darnold, but their second first round and first second round would be good places to think about Harris if he becomes available.
Her top running back options right now are Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, and Josh Adams. They have been working on upgrading their receiving corps and offensive line, with an upcoming QB change. A back like Harris would do a necessary offensive overhaul for new coordinator Mike LaFleur, according to Adam Gase.
4. Atlanta Falcons (No. 35)
The Falcons will be considering other 4th overall offensive positions (tackle, quarterback) and have ample defensive needs throughout the draft that need to be addressed again. But after a shaky year with Todd Gurley and Brian Hill, who was also unsigned, they look at a depth map led by Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison.
New offensive minded coach Arthur Smith came from the Titans, where another former strong Alabama player (Derrick Henry) was introduced to help build a more explosive downfield passing game. The Falcons already have a Bama 1-2 punch on the wide receiver with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Harris would fill a huge hole and be a huge asset to Smith with immediate effect.
5. Arizona Cardinals (No. 17 or No. 49)
The Cardinals like Chase Edmonds but have lost another freehand Alabama defender Kenyan Drake to Jacobs’ Raiders. As a productive rushing team around the quick-dashing QB Kyler Murray, they could benefit from racing with him in the backfield again.
Getting Harris into the second half of the first round would be a bit of a shock, but not insane as the Cardinals may already be well positioned elsewhere on their roster as NFC contenders. It all depends on whether there’s an edge rusher, cornerback, or offensive lineman who deserves more choices in terms of talent and scheme. If not in the first round, Steve Keim should be ready to slide up a bit to target Harris in the second round.
6. Miami Dolphins (No. 18 or No. 36)
The Dolphins won’t put Harris in third place overall, but they should be on the radar to reunite him with Tua Tagovailoa in either the middle first round or early second round. This is not a “must see” as Myles Gaskin has been very effective last season with the volume and the addition of former solid Rams backup Malcolm Brown. But Harris would be a good fit if the Dolphins wanted to use one like that with their extra picks.
MORE: Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts break down Najee Harris
7. Buffalo Bills (No. 30)
The Bills are a sleeper for Harris after not seeing much of a traditional running game with youngsters Devin Singletary and Zach Moss to add to Josh Allen last season. However, you have other more pressing needs for cornerback and edge rusher. Should they get Harris, their explosive offense would add a few more dimensions needed.
