It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris in his first two NFL seasons. Selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, he has endured some ups and downs so far. After 1,667 scrimmage yards in his rookie campaign, the Alabama product struggled to start the 2022 season. It wasn't all his fault, as he was dealing with a nagging foot injury.
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After Najee Harris saw a league-high 381 touches in 2021, Steelers RB Jaylen Warren became a huge part of the 2022 offense.
In addition, the Steelers' offensive line continued to open up minimal holes for the physical runner. As the season went on though, Harris began to turn things around. Kenny Pickett's takeover at quarterback helped Harris, as the offense was a little bit more versatile. It also seemed like Harris was getting healthier, something that was made possible by the emergence of rookie backup Jaylen Warren.
Expectations are high for the Steelers in 2023, and Harris is a part of that. CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo went a step further and thinks Harris can become the best back in the league in 2023.
"His work ethic is one of the reasons to be high on Harris, along with the on-field changes he made during the 2022 season. After appearing hesitant at times, Harris was anything but during the second half of the season. He ran with an aggressiveness that was on the edge of borderline rage. It jumped off the screen during Pittsburgh's late-season win over Baltimore, a victory that was clinched after Harris made the game-winning touchdown catch."
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Steelers RB Najee Harris can catch the ball as well, as he has 115 receptions in his first two NFL campaigns.
If you're looking at it from a neutral perspective, this take seems a bit crazy. Through 579 carries in the NFL, Harris has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. DeArdo does make a few good points, as the offensive line should be much improved with the additions of Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, and hopefully an offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft. It's clear that the front office has tried to get back to the old-school philosophy this offseason, something that DeArdo referred to as a part of his reasoning.
Will the Steelers' OL additions help Harris become elite?
Still, that doesn't seem like enough for the running back to go from mediocre to possibly the best in the league. That's no disrespect to him as enters his third NFL season, but there are some elite backs that he would have to hurdle (no pun intended) as well. Nick Chubb, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry are just a few of names that in that upper echelon of best backs in the NFL.
While it would be a sight to see for Steelers fans, put this in the hot take folder. Hopefully DeArdo turns out to be right, but it's hard to imagine a guy taking that big of a leap in third season. Now this isn't meant as a slight to Harris, as he does have the potential to be elite. It's the reason the Steelers used a first-round selection on him in 2021. Based off what we've seen in two seasons though, it seems highly unlikely to take place.
What are your thoughts on this take? If Harris took his game to the next level, how good would the Steelers offense become? What are your expectations for Pittsburgh's record in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites!
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