Jim Wexell Absolutely Torches Steelers' Najee Harris And His Ability To Be A Starting NFL Running Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent their first pick in the annual NFL Draft on offense each year since 2020. It's still difficult to evaluate Kenny Pickett, who is heading into his second season as well as offensive lineman, Broderick Jones, who has only been with the team since April of 2023. In 2020, the franchise's first selection came in the second round. While the Chase Claypool pick can be argued to be a bust, it certainly won't be if the second selection in 2023 (Joey Porter Jr.) turns out to be the organization's future at cornerback. Pittsburgh was able to trade Claypool before the 2022 deadline and used the Chicago Bears pick on Porter Jr.

That leaves running back, Najee Harris. The ball carrier was taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and while he has put up good numbers on paper (rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons), Harris has been far from explosive for the majority of his tenure as the team's top rusher. He has yet to average over four yards per carry in a season with his career number being 3.9.

When the Steelers brought in undrafted rookie, Jaylen Warren in 2022 and Harris was dealing with a Lisfranc injury, the backup shined and is quietly making a name for himself in the Steel City. The 2023 season will surely determine Harris's future in Pittsburgh, as the front office will need to decide whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025 after the campaign is over.

Warren proved to be a bruiser in his first year and averaged nearly five yards per carry. One can blame the struggles at the beginning of the 2022 season for Harris on his foot, but he only had one game throughout the entire 17-game schedule that saw him rush for over 100 yards. That's not something a team should be satisfied with when it comes to its top ball carrier.

Do The Steelers Have A Sooner Than Expected Running Back Battle?

Media pundits like Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan are already calling for Warren to replace Harris on the depth chart. The lack of belief in the third-year back continued on Thursday when long-time Pittsburgh sports writer, Jim Wexell destroyed Harris in a recent column. He noted that the running back only needs 700 yards rushing to have the most in Steelers history for a player's first three seasons, but wrote that he will need 600 carries in 2023 to do so.

"The Steelers may not have 600 carries to give him. After watching practice yesterday, another day of unimpressive running by Harris II, I dubbed him '1.1,'" Wexell wrote.

He is clearly being a bit sarcastic as Harris isn't averaging 1.1 yards per carry, but he gets his point across. After watching the team's training camp practices, Wexell has severe concerns about Harris having the ability to get to the second level of the defense. Two of the first offensive snaps on Wednesday saw the ball carrier struggle.

"Harris took the handoff on the first snap to Kenny Pickett and was tackled for a loss by Alexander. Harris took the second handoff and was stopped by the entire line."

The new-look offensive line will take time to gel and open up running holes consistently, but that doesn't necessarily mean that other guys in the backfield were having any issues.

Wexell noted that backup, Jaylen Warren and likely third-string, Anthony McFarland Jr. both made the best of their opportunities and not only hit the holes hard, but kept fighting for extra yardage as well. Wexell attributes one of the reasons behind Harris's struggles to him being cautious as he tries not to suffer another preseason injury.

"Harris got hurt trying too hard in camp last year and that injury dampened the first half of his season, in which he averaged only 3.3 yards per carry."

It might make sense for Harris to take it easy to enter the 2023 season fully healthy, but it might not be entirely too smart given the fact that Warren could be the lead back in 2024 if things don't go the way the former University of Alabama product would like them to in 2023. Wexell continued on his rant and called out Harris for seemingly blaming the offensive line for issues early on in 2022.

"'Is it the O-line?' That's what Harris implied last year when he snarled at another reporter to 'watch the tape' during the struggles of his first half."

The basis of Wexell's argument seems to stem from his opinion that Harris is not running hard enough and there are other guys in the backfield that give the Steelers offense a chance to move the ball down the field more consistently.

The sports writer was very fond of Warren, however. He believes that he is simply a different kind of back and having no issues bullying defenders around on the football field.

"Warren doesn't seem to be having any such trouble. He runs hard, gets low, and fires into tacklers like a human bowling ball. He's increased his size this season through weight training, and it shows."

Wexell finished off by letting readers know that he is trying to paint a picture for those not at training camp. For him, it's simple, the Steelers best overall running back right now is not Harris.

"As an analyst covering camp and providing insight to readers, I would be remiss in not reporting that I view Warren as the better running back. I believe he can put the Steelers' running game back on its franchise pedestal," he concluded.

Pittsburgh may end up having a running back battle much sooner than expected. Harris was drafted in 2021 to be the future, but the potential and rise of Warren could lead to a new starting ball carrier in 2024, and maybe even before.

Do you think Warren is a better back than Harris? Let us know in the comments below!

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