[ad_1]
The Najee Harris-for-Offensive Rookie of the 12 months hype practice has formally left the station. The Steelers working again made certain of that in his much-anticipated debut Thursday in the 2021 NFL preseason opener against the Cowboys.
Do not lock in Najee Harris to comply with Franco Harris from Pittsburgh’s backfield to Canton simply but, however what the 2021 first-rounder from Alabama did in simply three sequence within the Corridor of Fame Sport suggests the Steelers consider he will likely be their newest characteristic workhorse proper out of the gate and into the following few years.
Najee Harris was marketed as a whole again, a strong runner between the tackles but additionally an adept receiver on all types of routes. That profile, together with monster manufacturing for the most recent Crimson Tide nationwide championship group, was an enormous motive Harris was drafted No. 24 general. His ability set was on full show vs. Dallas.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Matt Canada ought to have seen sufficient in Harris’ seven first-half touches (for 25 yards) to attempt to protect him for the remainder of the preseason, figuring out he’ll imply every thing to the working and passing video games within the common season.
Harris confirmed off his energy and shiftiness. He had three good chunk runs, balanced by three restricted positive factors and a 4-yard loss. He additionally bought concerned as an outlet receiver for backup QB Mason Rudolph.
MORE: Fantasy RB consistency ratings
The most important query about Harris’ manufacturing as a rookie is the Steelers’ new-look offensive line. Whereas at Alabama, he ran behind Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson and Evan Neal. The primary three had been drafted into the NFL this 12 months together with Harris, whereas Neal is a surefire first-rounder in 2022. The Steelers are changing 4 of their starters from final season, with Alejandro Villanueva (Ravens), Matt Feiler (Chargers), Maurkice Pouncey (retired) and David DeCastro (launched) not within the lineup.
Pittsburgh will lean lots on the skilled proper aspect of guard Trai Turner and sort out Zach Banner. It’s hopeful that second-year left guard Kevin Dotson can escape as a blocker. Left sort out and heart, vacated by Villanueva and Pouncey, respectively, determine to be essentially the most regarding positions.
That is the place Harris wants to maximise his expertise by means of affected person working, hitting the holes nicely after they’re out there and combating for each yard he can get. The Steelers spreading the sphere with their harmful 11 personnel — led by huge receivers Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool — will assist to open lanes.
The Steelers handed the ball 65.5 % of the time final season, second solely to the Jaguars in frequency. However with Ben Roethlisberger displaying arm decline and averaging solely 6.3 yards per try, the Steelers had been simply the Fifteenth-most prolific passing group.
MORE: Big Ben reportedly ‘obsessed’ with diet heading into season
Pittsburgh must be extra run-oriented in 2021. That is the ticket to having a extra environment friendly offense that is extra complementary to the elite protection. Harris will likely be fed typically to take strain off Roethlisberger and assist the Steelers higher manufacture massive go performs off play-action to Claypool and others.
Canada’s offense must also assist Harris by means of totally different formations and extra sources of blocking. Fullback Derek Watt will likely be deployed extra, and sooner or later, when he is wholesome once more, rookie tight finish Pat Freiermuth can enhance the working recreation. That ought to permit for extra assured utilization of 12 personnel when wanted.
Harris is headed towards being the high-volume centerpiece of the offense. Tomlin prefers having dependable workhorses, a la Le’Veon Bell in his Steelers prime, vs. piecing collectively a role-specifc committee. The latter setup harm the Steelers final season, when it was evident there have been few solutions when James Conner could not shake his sturdiness points.
STEELERS 2021: Schedule, final record prediction
The Steelers gave each indication Thursday that 20 touches per recreation, or 340 touches for his rookie season, are conservative, lower-end estimates for Harris. It is a copycat league and the AFC North is a copycat division. The Ravens and Browns, fellow returning playoff groups, each featured elite dashing assaults final season and can hold constructing on that success this season to additional support their passing video games.
There is not any doubt Harris will get as many carries and catches as he can deal with. The Steelers simply must be cautious of working their particular rookie into the bottom and ensure he is recent sufficient for when working counts most within the second half of the season and, they hope, into the playoffs.
[ad_2]
Source link