Todd McShay 2021 Mock Draft: Steelers Select Alabama RB Najee Harris

[Northern_Blitz]

If this is really true, then the Steelers must not really think Rudolph is the next franchise QB otherwise why bring Roethlisberger back and take the hit of his salary this season?

If they thought Mason was a legit franchise QB in waiting, wouldn't they have played him in the 2nd half of the second game against the Bengals last year? Or at some point when Ben was playing horribly?

[Blitzburgh]

If they thought Mason was a legit franchise QB in waiting, wouldn't they have played him in the 2nd half of the second game against the Bengals last year? Or at some point when Ben was playing horribly?

I think Mason is a decent backup QB.

but I certainly wouldn't count on him to be my legit franchise QB that's going to carry me to the Super Bowl.

[hawaiiansteel]

Some Steelers fans want Najee Harris no matter who else is available

Some fans are dead-set on taking the Alabama running back.

By Michael_Beck@MichaelBeck56 Apr 16, 2021

We are less than two weeks away from the 2021 NFL Draft, and some Steelers fans have put their blinders on when it comes to prospects. With a clear need to upgrade its running game, fans have honed in on Alabama running back, Najee Harris. Of course Harris is viewed as the top back of this class, but based on his position is far from the best value. After posting a poll question on twitter, I quickly discovered the fanbase’s burning passion to have Harris in the black and gold, even if it meant turning their nose to a superior class.

Which #Steelers draft would you prefer?

A: 24 Christian Darrisaw, 55 Creed Humphrey, 87 Trey Sermon

B: 24 Najee Harris, 55 Quinn Meinerz, 87 Spencer Brown

In my poll I offered two options. In Option A the Steelers would draft two offensive lineman that are more valuable than the spots they are taken, but scoop up a significantly worse running back. In Option B the Steelers get the draft’s top ranked, yet arguable reach, Najee Harris, and reach yet again for Quinn Meinerz, but get good value in Spencer Brown. Bottom line is Option A is the more valuable draft class, while Option B has a better running back.

Nearly 4,000 votes later and fans went with top running back. The results were surprising to me, I almost expected a blow out for the Option A side. But, in the end, Steelers fans went with the player they believe can solely turn the rushing attack around.

These results made me think, why did Steelers fans vote this way? There are two likely scenarios as to why so many would want the running back over the better draft class.

Scenario 1: Fans are so fed up with the rushing attack they just want somebody with star potential to take the spot instead of mediocrity.

Scenario 2: People really don't know what they are doing when it comes to the draft. They only recognize the name ‘Najee Harris’ and bypass the offensive lineman they haven't heard of before.

If it’s the ladder, well Kevin Colbert would not make that decision.

While Harris is a talented back, we must keep in mind that his presence alone will not fix the league’s 32nd ranked rushing attack. It all starts up front, and if an offensive lineman who was expected to be taken in the Top 15 falls to 24, I would bet a pretty penny they take him.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2021/4/16/22387070/some-steelers-fans-want-najee-harris-no-matter-who-else-is-available-pittsburgh-draft-alabama-rb-nfl

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

These results made me think, why did Steelers fans vote this way? There are two likely scenarios as to why so many would want the running back over the better draft class.

Scenario 1: Fans are so fed up with the rushing attack they just want somebody with star potential to take the spot instead of mediocrity.

Scenario 2: People really don't know what they are doing when it comes to the draft. They only recognize the name ‘Najee Harris’ and bypass the offensive lineman they haven't heard of before.

If it’s the ladder, well Kevin Colbert would not make that decision.

I think without doubt that it is option 2. I think that regular posters on message boards such as this are very informed, yet I could not give you a scouting analysis of why player A is this much better and a better fit than player B. I will bet that most of the hits on that poll came from redirections from sites like facebook clicked by casual fans. Most fans don't actually know who the college prospects are, but at least we've been looking at some of these guys the past few months. The more casual fan probably doesn't even know most of the names, and only knows that the team needs to improve the running game and running back = running game. Even if they don't know who Harris is, they demand a first round RB.

Also, I am not a grammar police type at all, but if you are a columnist (even on the internet) and going to use a term like latter, don't spell ladder.

[NJ-STEELER]

I think without doubt that it is option 2. I think that regular posters on message boards such as this are very informed, yet I could not give you a scouting analysis of why player A is this much better and a better fit than player B. I will bet that most of the hits on that poll came from redirections from sites like facebook clicked by casual fans. Most fans don't actually know who the college prospects are, but at least we've been looking at some of these guys the past few months. The more casual fan probably doesn't even know most of the names, and only knows that the team needs to improve the running game and running back = running game. Even if they don't know who Harris is, they demand a first round RB.

Also, I am not a grammar police type at all, but if you are a columnist (even on the internet) and going to use a term like latter, don't spell ladder.

i wouldn't mind option 2 despite the questions on sermon.
like is he better then what we already have? snell and mcfarland were drafted a round or two later then this projection.
other then a few games, what exactly has sermon shown at the college level?
our recent history of running backs drafted after round 2 isn't exactly good

right now, I would definitely prefer option 1. I would be happy with any of the 3 top RBs.
even happier with a slight trade down, ending up with one the them and picking up an extra a 3rd or 4th rounder

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

i wouldn't mind option 2 despite the questions on sermon.
like is he better then what we already have? snell and mcfarland were drafted a round or two later then this projection.

This whole option has nothing to do with Sermon. You can take him out of the equation. If you look at the two linemen in the mock neither are projected to be available to the Steelers in those spots. Darrisaw is considered a plug and play LT who won't fall out of the teens. Not the same question mark as a guy like Brown (or Little, or Forsythe, or Hudson or anyone available in the third). Humphrey could very well be the pick at #24, he is probably the top C in the draft (except for a guy with two ACL injuries) and unlikely to last to #55. These are two guys who fit the description of "plug them in and don't worry about the position for 10 years."

The question is, would you rather fortify the line like that and then plug in a guy like Sermon/Stevenson/Jefferson/Gainwell or even Snell/McFarland? Alternatively, you take the best RB in the draft and a couple of question marks in the second and third. The two guys they chose are small school C who nobody had heard of before the Senior Bowl and a small school RT prospect, although any of the third round guys still have more question marks than Darrisaw.

[hawaiiansteel]

Report: Steelers eager to draft a running back in the first or second round

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 18, 2021

NFL teams have increasingly found that drafting a running back is a risky proposition, with highly drafted runners often proving to be no better than the backs available late in the draft or as undrafted free agents. But the Steelers apparently think they need to address the position early in this year’s draft.

Pittsburgh expects to add a feature draft most likely in the first round and no later than the second round, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Steelers allowed last year’s leading rusher, James Conner, to leave in free agency. They’ve spent fourth-round picks on running backs, Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell, each of the last two years, and they signed Kalen Ballage in free agency. But they apparently want more.

Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris are generally considered the best running backs in this year’s draft.

The report says the Steelers are serious about improving their running game and may also draft a run blocking offensive lineman early.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/04/18/report-steelers-eager-to-draft-a-running-back-in-the-first-or-second-round/

[Steel Maniac]

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/offseason-research/teams-are-never-first-round-rb-away

[hawaiiansteel]

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/artic...-round-rb-away

counter-argument:

teams picking in the first round last year could have selected Jonathan Taylor.

the year before the Raiders picked Josh Jacobs and he has done very well.

[Steel Maniac]

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/04/why-najee-harris-age-position-might-just-matter-to-steelers/

[hawaiiansteel]

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay and Mel Kiper deliver the Steelers’ first three picks

Todd McShay and Mel Kiper might be the most polarizing characters in the NFL Draft game, and they combined for a 3-round mock draft just over a week out of the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Apr 20, 2021

The 2021 NFL Draft is just days away, and every year the expert draft panel of Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. do a fun 3-round mock draft to give the fans something to consider before the selection process starts.

This year, like every year, the two experts rotated picks throughout the three rounds. In this year’s mock, the Pittsburgh Steelers had two picks made by McShay, and one from Kiper, McShay being Rounds 1 and 3, with Kiper picking in Round 2.

Unlike in previous years, where the two experts tried to predict what the teams would do, they decided to play General Manager for all 32 teams. So, they aren’t picking who they think Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert will pick, instead, they are picking who they would pick based on their thoughts on team needs.

Kiper and McShay alternated each pick, with Kiper starting at No. 1 and taking the odd numbers and McShay taking the evens.

Round 1

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

McShay’s pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Pittsburgh’s 3.6 yards per carry ranked last in the NFL in 2020, and it just lost its most productive rusher in James Conner. Mel might not like first-round running backs, but this makes too much sense.

Harris’ chances of being available here: 77.3%

Round 2

55. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kiper’s pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT/G, Alabama

I don’t think Leatherwood is a top-50 player, but he’s a fit for Pittsburgh, which needs both a guard and tackle. If McShay is giving the Steelers a running back in Round 1, I need to get them a player to block.

Round 3

87. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kiper’s pick: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

Wade got some first-round buzz after the 2019 season, but he had a poor 2020 season, when he moved out wide and covered the opposing team’s best receiver. He’s better out of the slot, and if he can get back to his 2019 form, he could be a steal.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2021/4/20/22393839/2021-nfl-mock-draft-todd-mcshay-and-mel-kiper-deliver-the-steelers-first-three-picks-najee-harris

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I don’t think Leatherwood is a top-50 player, but he’s a fit for Pittsburgh, which needs both a guard and tackle.

Unless he plays both at the same time it doesn't really matter that they need both. Give me a left tackle that will play left tackle.

[hawaiiansteel]

Le'Veon Bell for the first five seasons of his career put up 5,336 rushing yards, 2,660 receiving yards, and 42 TDs.

I'll take that kind of production from Harris on his rookie contract, even if we don't re-sign him or his wheels have fallen off.

[feltdizz]

Le'Veon Bell for the first five seasons of his career put up 5,336 rushing yards, 2,660 receiving yards, and 42 TDs.

I'll take that kind of production from Harris on his rookie contract, even if we don't re-sign him or his wheels have fallen off.

but we didn’t make a SB with Bell.

Didn’t make one with DD either but why should that stop us from drafting another lineman in the first?

[hawaiiansteel]

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

I know. Listen, I get it. I’ve heard all the arguments about a Round 1 running back. Believe me, I know they have merits. The Steelers, however, think differently. Both Pauline and my own Steelers guys believe they are fully locked in on Harris, and they aren’t trying to hide it.

Najee Harris would be the best Steelers back since Le’Veon Bell. They’ve not had a back they can trust to lead a committee of running backs with the versatility to line up out wide and smoke a linebacker as a receiver. That’s Harris. He’s the best back in this class, and he fits the style of player the Steelers like to add into their locker room.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/schultes-final-7-round-2021-nfl-mock-draft/2/