The Steelers drafted Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft, but there’s one thing Anthony McFarland can offer that Harris does not.
After Ben Roethlisberger reworked his contract to stay in Pittsburgh for what could be his final season with the Steelers, all eyes shifted towards Pittsburgh’s running game – specifically the backfield. James Conner did very little to impress in 2020, and he had signed a one-year deal in Arizona. The rest of the backs remaining on the team have done nothing to prove themselves in the NFL.
When Najee Harris became available to the Steelers with the 24th overall pick, Pittsburgh wasted no time in turning in their card. Despite modern-day analytics that suggests this was not a wise move, the Steelers were desperate to turn things around in the backfield.
Harris was a terrific player at Alabama, and I don’t there is a soul out there questioning whether or not he will be an improvement in the backfield; rather, how much of an improvement. He’s incredibly well-rounded and can operate at a high level as a runner, blocker, and receiver.
However, there is one fatal flaw in Harris’ game that could potentially prevent him from being listed among the NFL’s most elite running backs in the league in the near future: he doesn’t possess top-end speed to go the distance on any given play. This was on full display throughout his 638 carries at Alabama.
While Harris could still be a very good running back despite lacking elite speed, he may not help Pittsburgh a lot when it comes to their explosive play rate (ability to hit 20-plus yard runs) and go the distance on any given play. Fortunately, Steelers young running back, Anthony McFarland, has the one trait that Harris does not.
McFarland can help Steelers in the explosive-play department
Anthony McFarland was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round last year and is actually a full year younger than rookie Najee Harris. While McFarland isn’t going to be competing for a starting gig with Harris in the facility, he could carve out a role as the change-of-pace back for Pittsburgh.
What makes McFarland the perfect compliment to Harris is his elite homerun speed. The former Maryland running back ran an official 4.44 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last year, and this film is evident on nearly every play.
Because of his elite speed, McFarland needs only a little crease to go the distance. Unfortunately, the 2020 rookie botched some of his opportunities last year by slipping or choosing the wrong hole. However, it’s hard to judge him too strictly after just 33 career carries.
As a young, inexperienced player with just 278 total carries between both college and the NFL, it stands to reason that McFarland could still improve. He will have a chance to supplant the bigger, more lumbering Benny Snell as the team’s number two running back in 2021.
Najee Harris is leaps and bounds better than the other running backs on Pittsburgh’s roster, and I’m confident he will prove that in the coming years. Though Harris may lack a second gear, Anthony McFarland has speed that kills, and he could prove to be a great change-of-pace back to the bigger, more versatile rookie in 2021.