2021 Steelers Draft: Najee Harris next ‘big back’ to wear the black and gold
It was the name Steelers Nation had been saying the loudest over the past week: “Najee!” With Art Rooney II determined that the Pittsburgh Steelers would return to being a more dominating run team in the National Football League in 2021, the Steelers organization, as a group, selected Najee Harris as their first pick (No. 24 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The pick was highly anticipated before “Draft Night” even began. In fact, rumors abounded that insiders knew for certain that Harris would be the next big back to wear the black and gold. Steelers fans flooded Twitter with re-Tweets and other social media accounts with reasons why Pittsburgh would be silly to not take Harris, whatever it took.
Minkah Fitzpatrick… well, his March 31 Tweet, and follow-up on draft night speaks for itself.
https://twitter.com/minkfitz_21/status/1387970960414830601?s=12
The 6-2, 230 pound, running back is the first player to be selected at that position by the Steelers since 2008. Harris finished his collegiate career as the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (46), total touchdowns (57), and rushing yards (3,843). As the 2020 Doak Walker Award winner, Harris led all collegiate players with 30 touchdowns (26 rushing).
“If he’s available, I would like to see another Harris in the backfield… We need a running back that can really make a difference. This Harris kid is a tough kid. I feel he could really make a difference.” – Hall of Famer Franco Harris to CBS Sports
One thing many scouts appreciated about Harris was his ability to be versatile and involved in the pass-game as well. In five different games in 2020, Harris caught at least four passes and earned MVP honors for his three touchdown catches in the SEC Championship Game over Florida. Harris caught seven passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in the College Football Championship against Ohio State.
RD 1 | PICK 24 – Steelers: Najee Harris RB, Alabama
Harris is one of five running backs to enter the draft since 2003 with a 99 overall draft score. The others? Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Larry Johnson and Travis Etienne. pic.twitter.com/CsyIrkT0Jl
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 30, 2021
Harris wasted no time reaching out to Steelers Nation after having his name announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
https://twitter.com/ohthatsNajee22/status/1387976923855433729
With running back addressed, the remainder of the NFL Draft should be interesting for the Steelers. It remains a popular thought that they will address offensive line as well as cornerback and linebacker depth but, as Steelers fans know by now, the board could change as Rooney, Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin, and the organization keep their eyes on players they spent time with and how the remainder of the league’s 31 teams shuffle their own boards in Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOInaJfjwXI
