Najee Harris 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Najee Harris is another talented running back in the long line of Alabama products coming into the league. Some have hit like Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry. Others have flopped such as Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy. Teams that are considering drafting Harris should feel pretty encouraged they’re getting the high end of the recent Alabama running backs coming into the league. Here is your 2021 NFL Draft profile on Najee Harris.
Najee is a big back standing 6-foot-2, 229. I think the thing that stands out about the Bama product is how agile he is. Harris can hurdle defenders no problem. I wouldn’t say the speed is game changing but he can move very well for a big back. Harris looks like a smaller version of Derrick Henry in every sense of the word.
One comp I’d like to throw out for Harris is Steven Jackson. Remember Jackson coming out of Oregon State? Jackson was very much a three down bigger back who had some agility to him you didn’t necessarily expect. Jackson carved out a solid career for himself. I think Harris can be a notch better.
One of the most underrated parts of his game is the receiving ability. It’s something Najee recently ripped Todd McShay for. This idea that Harris was an “improved” pass catcher is silly and Harris rightfully called McShay out for his shitty report. Harris isn’t just a great pass catcher, he’s a sneaky good route runner. His hands are on point. Najee doesn’t put the ball on the ground either. There are no fumbling issues here to worry about. He hauled in 43 catches for 425 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2020 which is incredible He deserves way more credit in this department.
Harris is coming off a 2020 season where he rushed for 1,466 yards on 251 attempts (5.8 YPC). Najee found the end zone early, often, and all the damn time racking up 26 touchdowns on the ground. Harris was the most productive running back in the country bar none.
The man is just talented. Harris was a five-star recruit in 2017 and was the number two overall prospect in the country. Rightfully so. They don’t make running backs that look like this. Better yet, they don’t make running backs that move like this either.
Harris’ movement skills are all there. Again, maybe the top end speed isn’t elite, but who cares. Harris can shed tackles with ease. Arm tackles aren’t going to do it. The hurdling ability is ridiculous. He can wiggle and change directions way better than someone should for his size. When it’s time to thump, the dude can bring it. Best of all, he’s a ready made pass protector. There’s no need to ever take him off the field.
I think Najee Harris is head and shoulders the best running back in the 2021 NFL Draft. I’m not sure you can convince me anybody is close. Better yet, there’s probably not another three down back in the entire class. Harris might not be quite worth a first round pick as a running back but he’s a damn good prospect.
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