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

[Northern_Blitz]

As much as I hate to say it, I’ll take a good QB, a good OL and pick a 2nd or 3rd round bell-cow back every 4 years and run the wheels off them. Someone else can pay them that big 2nd contract if they can get it. My backups will be those cheap, vet minimum, change of pace backs that are around every year after the expensive FAs all get paid.

This is a good strategy IMO.

[NJ-STEELER]

As I said, I like Harris, but I wouldn’t take him or any RB in the 1st round. It’s because of exactly what has been posted on here and the names thrown around. There are plenty of 2nd round backs that can make the argument of best back in the league right now, and many 1st rounders (the few there are) are looking pretty overpaid versus their value to the team. So I repeat, I wouldn’t take a back with a 1st round pick, but I would take one in the second or any other time thereafter.

i usually agree with that sentiment. but this year we'll be picking 25 to 32.

so the choice might be the #1 rated Rb in the draft ot the 4th/5th rated LT/OT. in that case i'll likely take the #1 rb.
they'll be a big falloff of talent at pick 60 or so

and we've seen what this staff can do with day 3 RB picks

not much

[NJ-STEELER]

As much as I hate to say it, I’ll take a good QB, a good OL and pick a 2nd or 3rd round bell-cow back every 4 years and run the wheels off them. Someone else can pay them that big 2nd contract if they can get it. My backups will be those cheap, vet minimum, change of pace backs that are around every year after the expensive FAs all get paid.

yes to this. that is the ideal way to go about it

[feltdizz]

But what you guys are missing is that THE ENTIRE LEAGUE knows good backs are a dime a dozen.

We got Bell is the second because NO BACK WAS SELECTED IN THE FIRST...period.

We are not talking the "exception" like Brady.

Nah.. this is a terrible example.

We got Bell in the second because the 2013 RB class wasn’t considered strong.

If good RB’s are a dime a dozen point out the dimes in that draft class.

[Captain Lemming]

I don't think that's it simple. Good backs are not a dime a dozen. That's almost like saying Barry Sanders or Derrick Henry are a dime a dozen. The NFL is a majority passing league. The injury risk associated with the RB position is the issue.

The Steelers had a a good fit with Bell in the Steelers offense. Unfortunately, Bell had other plans. A good/great RB can make a difference at the right price.

I keep beating this point.
I agree. Barry Sanders and Derrick Henry are not a "dime a dozen".
"Running backs with "great" talent are not common at all.
But fact is that having a "great" back does little to enhance your chances at a championship.

I said "good backs" are a dime a dozen. That is all you need in todays NFL

Look at the SB winners. How many "great" backs?

Bell? Great back at one time. His BACKUP has multiple rings, with multiple teams. Any team in the league could have picked him up more than once. As was his fellow superbowl winning teamate Jay Ajayi. Dime a dozen.

We had a first team all pro with individual stats in 2017
The Eagles runningbacks as a TEAM were more productive than us on the way to winning the SB.

BTW 3 of their top 10 salaries? Oline.

From Adrian Petersen to Zeke...
There is literally ZERO correlation between running back "greatness" and championships in the last two decades.

[Captain Lemming]

i usually agree with that sentiment. but this year we'll be picking 25 to 32.

so the choice might be the #1 rated Rb in the draft ot the 4th/5th rated LT/OT. in that case i'll likely take the #1 rb.
they'll be a big falloff of talent at pick 60 or so

and we've seen what this staff can do with day 3 RB picks

not much

I do see this argument. It is valid.
If we see a HUGE drop off between a back available in the first round and the next guy....while at the same time 7 or 8 olinemen that we rank roughly the same...BPA in an area of need comes into play.

[SteelerMaine83]

i usually agree with that sentiment. but this year we'll be picking 25 to 32.

so the choice might be the #1 rated Rb in the draft ot the 4th/5th rated LT/OT. in that case i'll likely take the #1 rb.
they'll be a big falloff of talent at pick 60 or so

and we've seen what this staff can do with day 3 RB picks

not much

I might agree with you in another year, #1 RB vs #4-5 OT, but this year, the OT class is deep (so the 4-5 OT may be a better value than RB1). But more importantly, we will need to be cutting deep just to make the salary cap for the year and may not have the cash to sign any of our FA tackles, which leaves us with one (yes one) returning OT from our active roster (Chuks). It is that dire.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I don't think that's it simple. Good backs are not a dime a dozen.

I agree that good backs are not a dime a dozen, but the devaluation of the position is real. Several factors:

1) A great O line is more important to a back's success than the back himself.

2) For several reasons, college production is not indicative of NFL success - probably more so for RB than any other position.

3) When a back declines, it can be fast and merciless. Signing a RB to a contract with big guarantees is more likely to bite you than any position based on cost.

[Disco1981]

I agree that good backs are not a dime a dozen, but the devaluation of the position is real. Several factors:

1) A great O line is more important to a back's success than the back himself.

2) For several reasons, college production is not indicative of NFL success - probably more so for RB than any other position.

3) When a back declines, it can be fast and merciless. Signing a RB to a contract with big guarantees is more likely to bite you than any position based on cost.

Yep...Leveon Bell is a prime example...Tomlin likes to " run em to wheels fall off " and he did...He went from the best RB in Football, to Toast!

[NJ-STEELER]

I might agree with you in another year, #1 RB vs #4-5 OT, but this year, the OT class is deep (so the 4-5 OT may be a better value than RB1). But more importantly, we will need to be cutting deep just to make the salary cap for the year and may not have the cash to sign any of our FA tackles, which leaves us with one (yes one) returning OT from our active roster (Chuks). It is that dire.

yes it will be an important evaluation.

PS. feiler played RT last year and i think bannar will be back. but Id draft a LT anyway 1st or 2nd round.
secure the most important postion of the OL

[hawaiiansteel]

PS. feiler played RT last year

Feiler will be an UFA.

[feltdizz]

I agree that good backs are not a dime a dozen, but the devaluation of the position is real. Several factors:

1) A great O line is more important to a back's success than the back himself.

2) For several reasons, college production is not indicative of NFL success - probably more so for RB than any other position.

3) When a back declines, it can be fast and merciless. Signing a RB to a contract with big guarantees is more likely to bite you than any position based on cost.

I think #2 is the same for every position. Most players fail when they get to the NFL and they usually have good production to get drafted.

I actually think this applies more to the QB position.

[Steel Maniac]

Cam Akers .. second round pick

[steeler_george]

All I know is after watching these games today, I want a running back in a big way....
Taylor looked awesome same for Akers.

[hawaiiansteel]

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama — Projection: Day 2. As talented as Harris is, running backs seem to slip down draft boards, even one like Harris, who has a rare combination of size (6'2", 230 pounds), speed (we should see a really nice 40-time) and athleticism (did you SEE that hurdle in the semifinal?!).

https://ftw.usatoday.com/gallery/ranking-the-top-draft-prospects-playing-in-the-college-football-national-championship