The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Najee Harris in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, the former Alabama running back has racked up 2,900 yards from scrimmage over the course of his first two seasons. He has yet to miss a game in his NFL career and has proven on countless occasions to be effective at both running the ball between the tackles and catching the ball as a receiver.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The Steelers expect big things from their star running back Najee Harris in his third season in the league.
With this in mind, there seem to be a number of fans who still do not view him as an elite-level ball carrier. Fortunately, the 2023 campaign is shaping up to be a tremendous opportunity for Harris to silence his critics once and for all and prove why he was worthy of the first-round pick spent on him in 2021.
Perhaps the biggest reason as to why Harris is in line to have his biggest statistical season in 2023 is additions of Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones to the offensive line. Both players are highly-physical and pride themselves in making holes in the running game. Furthermore, Harris is not having to deal with a Lisfranc injury in 2023 which hampered the beginning of his 2022 season.
With a fully healthy foot and an offensive line that is poised to be one of the best in the league, there is reason to believe that Harris could firmly establish himself as a top-five running back in the league.
Draft Najee Harris. Just do it.
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 12, 2023
📺: @FanDuelTV | @heykayadams | @FDSportsbook | @ohthatsNajee22 pic.twitter.com/chBTO7FwHv
One of the biggest advocates for Harris to breakout in 2023 is NFL media personality, Kay Adams, host of the Up & Adams show on FanDuel TV. During a recent episode, Adams provided detailed reasoning as to why she believes the Steelers star is easily a top-ten running back from a fantasy-football perspective.
Harris Will Look To Carry Momentum From Second Half Of 2022 Season
As Adams points out, Harris was a completely different player in 2022 once he was fully healthy. Following the Steelers' Week 9 bye, he compiled 673 yards on the ground over the course of the last nine games, which included a 111-yard performance against the rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. His improvement undoubtedly was a significant contributing factor in the Steelers winning seven of their last nine games and nearly sneaking into the postseason. Needless to say, Harris will look to start off strong in 2023 and not wait until November to make a big impact.
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Steelers' Running Back Najee Harris Will Look To Have A Breakout Season In 2023
Steelers' Harris Is The Unquestioned Top Running Back In Pittsburgh
The Steelers are incredibly fortunate to have Jaylen Warren as the backup to Harris. Originally an undrafted free agent rookie out of Oklahoma State in 2022, Warren burst on to the scene during his rookie year, rushing for 379 yards and he caught another 214 yards in the air. At times in 2022, there seemed to be moments in which Warren was the more effective player compared to Harris. However, as Adams explains, there is no denying who the top running back is in Pittsburgh.
"I'm coming to terms with the fact that everyone is high on Jaylen Warren. He looked good last year and he's having a great camp, but I'm not buying the fact that Jaylen's presence is gonna sandbag Najee Harris."
Adams brings up a valid point. While Warren will undoubtedly be a major component of the Steelers offense in 2023, he will almost certainly not see the field as much as Harris. During the Steelers Week 17 matchup against the Ravens, the game in which Warren had his biggest workload, Harris still was the workhouse for the Kenny Pickett-led offense.
Up & Adams Show
Steelers' Najee Harris And Jaylen Warren Stats, Week 17 Of 2022
Optimistically speaking, Warren will also see a leap in production in 2023. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pass protect make him an invaluable third-down back, a role in which he excelled in during his rookie season. Assuming both Harris and Warren stay healthy in 2023, the duo may prove to be one of, if not, the best one-two punch in the league. Get ready, Steeler Nation. The regular season will be here before we know it.
Thoughts, Steeler Nation?
Why do you think Harris is continually undervalued from a fantasy perspective? What are your stat predictions for him in 2023? Wha about for Warren? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
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