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

[NorthCoast]

A pick at 24 isn’t a premium first round pick. Look at KC’s OL. I believe they have 1 first round pick on their OL who was the number 1 pick in 2013 and the rest are UDFA’s or other people’s property they acquired in FA but none drafted in the first.

This is true. But their QB helps them a lot. Watch the guy move away from pressure, or throwing in awkward positions when chased.

It is also my opinion (no fact check) that when the Steelers draft an OL high, they are good and tend to be around a long time. It becomes a position you don't have to worry about for years and can then focus on skill positions that come and go.

[Northern_Blitz]

This is true. But their QB helps them a lot. Watch the guy move away from pressure, or throwing in awkward positions when chased.

It is also my opinion (no fact check) that when the Steelers draft an OL high, they are good and tend to be around a long time. It becomes a position you don't have to worry about for years and can then focus on skill positions that come and go.

I think this is the argument for going OL over RB is the perceived talent is close.

You draft a RB for probably 4 years of playing time.

You draft a lineman for 10.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

here comes Cap with the his dusty ass Fast Willie SB line.

Lets look at FWP in the 2005 playoffs

Cincy game: 16 for 38 yards
Colts game: 17 for 59 yards
Denver game: 14 for 35 yards.

SB: now he had an amazing TD run for 75 yards. But with the other 9 attempts he only had 18 yards.

The man was fast, straight line fast. Amazing speed. But if things weren’t set up perfect for FWP he was TRASH!!! No vision, no wiggle.. and hands like Ike.

So for the last time, shut the hell up about FWP. The guy was fast as hell and I appreciate his contributions but don’t you ever, EVER, NEVER, EVER try to use FWP as justification for not drafting a RB early.

drops mic

He was trash? That's harsh.

Parker was a solid back. Much better than what we have now. I remember his 75 yard TD run in the Super Bowl. That play won us the game. No one is saying he's an all time great, but he was clearly good.

Outside of the playoffs, he was a 2x pro bowl back with three 1,200+ yard rushing seasons.

I agree we need to draft a back high, and should not count on getting lucky with a rookie free agent.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I think this is the argument for going OL over RB is the perceived talent is close.

You draft a RB for probably 4 years of playing time.

You draft a lineman for 10.

Well there are 5 OL men who play on most downs, and only 1 RB on most downs. I think we need both RB and OL, at least two OL players in this years draft.

[Ghost]

2012 - pick 24 - David DeCastro. To me, if there is a tackle or center with a round 1 grade and a chance to start next season you take him. The o-line might have been the worst positional group on the team.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Conner's other problem, and it's been written about a few times, is his poor vision finding creases at the line. His running has changed from just a year or two ago. Much more hesitant and little burst. Really, his biggest asset was as a blocker in the pass game. But I'd still keep him as a cheap #2. No way I give him a starter's contract.

I agree. Conner is a back up type, and should be a very low priority free agent. if we lose him, oh well. I want FOUR Comp picks this year, the most they give out.

I think we have seen Conner's best and that was a few seasons ago.

On Harris, he's a really good red zone weapon. He has some speed, catches it well and should be able to block at his size. Harris doesn't go down easily is scheme versatile, and can also run outside a bit. A major upgrade from Conner. Whomever takes over from Ben is going to need that type of back.

[hawaiiansteel]

Report: Steelers Showing Early Interest In Alabama RB Najee Harris At Senior Bowl

By Dave Bryan
Posted on January 26, 2021

The 2021 Senior Bowl week is now underway in Mobile, AL and that means throughout this week we’ll hear a few reports about the Pittsburgh Steelers and specifically players they seem to be interested in.

On Tuesday, PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline filed a report and it he claims that Alabama running back Najee Harris is drawing the early attention of two teams in particular at the Senior Bowl, the Steelers, and the Miami Dolphins.

Harris, who measured in at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday at 6017, 230-pounds with 33 3/8-inch arms and 10-inch hands, is not expected to take part in practices this week, per Pauline. If that happens, odds are good that Harris will not play in Senior Bowl game on Saturday.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who is also in Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl, has Harris ranked 22nd overall on his top 50 2021 NFL Draft prospect rankings that he released Tuesday morning. Below is Jeremiah’s early thoughts on Harris.

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.

Obviously, Harris could be in play for the Steelers at 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and especially if the team is set on selecting a top-rated running back early. The Steelers running game has been miserable the last several seasons for starters and on top of that, the only real locks they have to be back at the running back position in 2021 is Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr.

During the 2020 season, Harris rushed for 1,387 yards and 24 touchdowns and he also caught 36 passes for another 346 yards and three touchdowns. For his college career, Harris rushed for 3,764 yards and 44 touchdowns in addition to catching 73 passes for 702 yards and another 10 touchdowns. Harris also registered 26 runs of 20 yards or longer during his college career at Alabama. It’s worth noting that Harris will reportedly turn 23 years of age in March.

It’s worth noting that the last time the Steelers selected a running back in the first-round of an NFL draft was in 2008 when they picked Rashard Mendenhall at 23rd overall.

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/report-steelers-showing-early-interest-in-alabama-rb-najee-harris-at-senior-bowl/

[feltdizz]

He was trash? That's harsh.

Parker was a solid back. Much better than what we have now. I remember his 75 yard TD run in the Super Bowl. That play won us the game. No one is saying he's an all time great, but he was clearly good.

Outside of the playoffs, he was a 2x pro bowl back with three 1,200+ yard rushing seasons.

I agree we need to draft a back high, and should not count on getting lucky with a rookie free agent.

I liked FWP and I was being sensational but its the truth. If the OL didn’t block perfectly for him he was pretty bad because his vision was awful and he had no moves. Definitely had game changing speed but 9 out of 10 times he isn’t going to pop a big run. There was a debate about how good he was because fans would say “take away the long runs and his average was meh” while that was cherry picking it was also true. If you are averaging 2 yards on all your runs except for the long one it can skew the stats a bit.

Its like Mike Wallace. Dude was a beast on go routes but trash underneath. That wasn’t his game. Loved the big plays from MW but we definitely lucked up when he ran for the money and AB turned into a monster.. before actually turning into a monster.

[NorthCoast]

This guy might go in the late rounds or undrafted but I really like his vision, burst, and excellent cuts;

[SteelBucks]

Report: Steelers Showing Early Interest In Alabama RB Najee Harris At Senior Bowl

By Dave Bryan
Posted on January 26, 2021

The 2021 Senior Bowl week is now underway in Mobile, AL and that means throughout this week we’ll hear a few reports about the Pittsburgh Steelers and specifically players they seem to be interested in.

On Tuesday, PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline filed a report and it he claims that Alabama running back Najee Harris is drawing the early attention of two teams in particular at the Senior Bowl, the Steelers, and the Miami Dolphins.

Harris, who measured in at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday at 6017, 230-pounds with 33 3/8-inch arms and 10-inch hands, is not expected to take part in practices this week, per Pauline. If that happens, odds are good that Harris will not play in Senior Bowl game on Saturday.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who is also in Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl, has Harris ranked 22nd overall on his top 50 2021 NFL Draft prospect rankings that he released Tuesday morning. Below is Jeremiah’s early thoughts on Harris.

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.

Obviously, Harris could be in play for the Steelers at 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and especially if the team is set on selecting a top-rated running back early. The Steelers running game has been miserable the last several seasons for starters and on top of that, the only real locks they have to be back at the running back position in 2021 is Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr.

During the 2020 season, Harris rushed for 1,387 yards and 24 touchdowns and he also caught 36 passes for another 346 yards and three touchdowns. For his college career, Harris rushed for 3,764 yards and 44 touchdowns in addition to catching 73 passes for 702 yards and another 10 touchdowns. Harris also registered 26 runs of 20 yards or longer during his college career at Alabama. It’s worth noting that Harris will reportedly turn 23 years of age in March.

It’s worth noting that the last time the Steelers selected a running back in the first-round of an NFL draft was in 2008 when they picked Rashard Mendenhall at 23rd overall.

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/re...t-senior-bowl/

If they really want Harris they may have to move up a few spots. He’s starting to pop up on mocks before pick 24.

I’d stay put or even trade down. They could get a solid haul on the OL with multiple high tier picks.

[Oviedo]

Well there are 5 OL men who play on most downs, and only 1 RB on most downs. I think we need both RB and OL, at least two OL players in this years draft.

Yes to this.

[feltdizz]

If they really want Harris they may have to move up a few spots. He’s starting to pop up on mocks before pick 24.

I’d stay put or even trade down. They could get a solid haul on the OL with multiple high tier picks.

I was laughed at when I suggested he may not be available at 24 a week before the championship game.

Who knows how the draft plays out with all these teams trying to play musical chairs with QB’s but if he slides.. I still want him.

[SteelBucks]

I was laughed at when I suggested he may not be available at 24 a week before the championship game.

Who knows how the draft plays out with all these teams trying to play musical chairs with QB’s but if he slides.. I still want him.

Agree to this. I’d take him at 24 in a heartbeat.

...and then Josh Myers in the second round. That would already be a home run draft.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I'm no a Todd McShay the of follower, because I think there are better out there. However Harris should be on the short list for possible first round picks. If Jones is not on the board, I'd take Harris. He is a 3 way type of back, capable of running it, catching it, and blocking. He can get yards after contact and I think was 2nd over all in making his first man miss. I don't care if he's 23. I do care that he is scheme versatile, and was not over used in college.

If we can squeeze a team and trade down in round one to pick up an extra 3rd to Select Harris, that would be something.

[hawaiiansteel]

CBS Mock Draft: Steelers Take RB Najee Harris At #24

By Alex Kozora
Posted on February 15, 2021

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/02/cbs-mock-draft-steelers-take-rb-najee-harris-at-24/