Steelers best-case and worst-case scenarios for Najee Harris’s rookie season

Best-case scenario

The best-case scenario for Harris is that the Steelers line shows up to camp as an overall improved run-blocking unit. Zach Banner gets his chance to show his talent that was taken away from him last season and Kevin Dotson showcases why he was one of the biggest draft steals last season. While this group will likely take a few steps back in terms of pass protection, hopefully, the unit gains some physicality and push in the run game.

Harris himself comes into camp motivated and in shape, and it shows in the Hall of Fame game when he squares up against Jabril Cox and runs through him in route to his first of two scores in the first quarter. His hype continues to build during the preseason until he runs for a measly 53 yards and no scores in the Steelers’ week one loss.

That lights a fire inside of Harris though, and outside of the week 14 game that he misses due to a sore ankle, Harris never again has below 50 yards rushing. He goes on an early tear, rushing for over a hundred yards in the next three games. He slows down a bit but continues to impose his will on defenses as the Steelers finally have a capable back at the helm.

This all culminates during the second game against the Browns. With both teams in the playoff hunt, the Browns defense gets to Ben Roethlisberger early and forces two interceptions. The Steelers respond by giving the ball to Harris 35 times, and he does well, gaining 180 yards and another 50 through the air. Add in his three total scores and it is by far his best rookie performance.

Finally, and arguably his biggest contribution, Harris becomes the go-to option at the goal line. An area the Steelers have struggled with, Harris becomes a hammer at the line consistently finds a physical way to score. He ends the season with 14 total touchdowns.

Ultimately, Harris’s best-case scenario falls somewhere between a Jonathan Taylor and a Josh Jacobs rookie year, let’s say 1250 total yards and the 14 scores. What really needs to be seen for this season to be a success is the team turning to him in times of need and him delivering. That was the case in the Browns game, and he does it on occasion in the first few weeks. Had this quarterback class not been so deep, he would have been in the running for rookie of the year. He inserts his name in the conversation of top back in the league, and while the pick seemingly had questionable value at the time, he becomes a force that teams fail to try and stop.