2021 NFL Draft: 5 teams that should select Alabama’s Najee Harris

While Ben Roethlisberger has been declining and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner calls plays like a fan that won a raffle considering how clueless he looks at times, Pittsburgh’s offensive issues are stemming from an inability to run the football. James Conner, the one running back with any form of competence at the moment, is a free agent at the end of this season. Considering that the Steelers have a hole at running back, a pitiful running game, and a draft position that will likely land them in Harris’ range, Najee could become Mike Tomlin’s newest centerpiece in Pittsburgh.

While Todd Haley and Le’Veon Bell might be long gone, Tomlin has to realize that Fichtner and a bunch of flotsam in the backfield isn’t a winning formula, especially when you have a quarterback that is turning into a fossil before out very eyes and is losing arm strength with every throw. Pittsburgh needs to get a back like Harris to build a sustainable, run-heavy offense to compliment their stingy defense, as doing so would give them a solid foundation on offense even if Ben retires.

Dolphins and non-Dolphins fans alike have been livid with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey of late. For all the good Brian Flores has done, he seems unwilling to let Tua Tagovailoa throw the ball down the field, only going deep when Ryan Fitzpatrick enters the game. Perhaps part of the reason Gailey has been so conservative is the fact that he doesn’t trust his weapons both in the backfield and on the perimeter. With Houston’s pick putting Miami in prime position to get a No. 1 wide receiver, the Dolphins can use their own first-round pick to get Tua a new starting running back in Harris, who he teamed with at Alabama.

With Alabama’s DeVonta Smith in position to potentially take over for Ja’Marr Chase as the top receiver in the country, Miami could form an All-Tide core on offense that features Tagovailoa at quarterback, a premium athlete with size and speed in Harris at halfback, and a speedy deep threat in Smith out wide. Miami might make it to the postseason this year, but this trio could make them a true Super Bowl contender.

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