Steelers scouting report: RB Najee Harris is the definition of a workhorse

Weaknesses:

• Lacks true top-end speed; explosive play rate was only half that of a player like Travis Etienne
• Can get to the second level, but will likely struggle to go the distance in the open field
• Was aided by a terrific Alabama offensive line full of future NFL players
• Some of the decision-making was done for him with truck-sized holes to run through
• No athletic testing numbers at his Pro Day; chose not to participate in athletic testing
• Suffered ankle injury late in the 2020 season
• Already 23 years old; could have a shortened NFL career
• A notable amount of tread may be off the tires with 718 touches in the SEC

Though he’s incredibly well-rounded in terms of his running, blocking, and receiving ability, Najee Harris has one glaring hole when I put on his tape: a lack of true top-end speed. Much like Le’Veon Bell, getting to the second level will not be an issue for Najee, but going the distance won’t be easy to do against NFL athletes, as he registered a very pedestrian explosive play rate in college (runs of 20 or more yards).

In addition, Harris is much older than players the Steelers typically target in the first round. Already 23, he’s the oldest first-round pick since Jarvis Jones in 2013. Prior to that, Kendall Simmons was the last 23-year-old drafted in the first round back in 2002. Najee also had a huge college workload, and it’s possible that he could start to wear down early in his NFL career – much like Bell.