4 worst-case scenarios for Steelers with pick 24 in the NFL Draft

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Some of you are probably fuming seeing Najee Harris on this list of worst-case scenarios for the Steelers in round one. However, I thoroughly believe this is where he belongs. While Harris is certainly a competent running back, he plays a position that is one of the easiest to find in the NFL and he doesn’t come without a few questions of his own.

Harris barely touched the ball in his first two seasons at Alabama before putting up impressive numbers in each of the past two seasons. However, when talking about Harris’ success during college, many neglect to point out the fact that he was playing with what essentially will be an NFL offensive line, and it’s hard to determine how much he actually created on his own. Harris also lacks top-end speed for the position and his explosive-play rate was only half as good as a player like Travis Etienne.

In addition, the Alabama running back already has a good bit of tread taken off the tires with 718 touches in college, and his physical run style could cause him to break down faster than many running backs. Harris is also already 23 years old and he will be 28 after his fifth-year option. At this age as a running back, it’s hard to justify him even earning a second contract with the Steelers. Harris could prove to be a really solid football player, but his age and lack of elite speed and explosion hardly make him a home run pick – especially when you consider how devalued the running back position is in today’s NFL.