Najee is currently the RB14 with an ADP of 42.4 on Underdog.  He is 6’1” & 242. 

Jaylen Warren is his backup.  He is being drafted as the RB37 with an ADP of 115.2.  He is 5’8” & 215. 

As a rookie, Harris finished as the RB3. 

He caught 74 passes from an aged Ben Roethlisberger.  He also had 381 touches.  In his #CurseOf370 season, he was drafted 7th overall.  But finished as RB14.  People are using last year’s performance combined with Warren’s 2023 preseason play to downgrade Najee.

I think this is a huge mistake.  Why?  Let me tell you. 

Last year Roethlisberger was replaced by rookie QB Kenny Pickett. Rookie QBs often are slow at checking down so RB usage in the passing game often slips.  

I am not expecting Harris to repeat the 94 targets he got in his rookie year.  But I do believe Pickett’s preseason play showed that he is improving at all phases of the passing game. 

So let’s split the difference.  Give Harris 74 targets for 58 receptions, 348 yards and 3 TDs.  If we split his rushing stats, we get 290-1119-7. 

That equates to 146.7 points for yards, 58 points for receptions and 60 points for TDs.  Or 264.7 points which would have made him the RB4 last year.  

Last year he played through a lisfranc injury.  He didn’t miss a game but his explosiveness was definitely impacted! 

The 4th RB being selected this season is Saquon Barkley at Pick 10.  

So let’s say you draft Harris at his current ADP – round 4.06.  You can grab Warren 20 picks ahead of his current ADP (115.2) in round 8.01 and ensure you have the Steeler’s starting RB.  

Yes, it is taking two players to collect one position.  But it’s a very good position to have.  And if this preseason is any indication of what’s to come, Pittsburgh is going to have a very good offense that scores an awful lot of points!

Don’t fade Najee!