These stats show Steelers Najee Harris is on pace for a great rookie season

Rookie running back Najee Harris, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is on pace for a great rookie season, even if it’s flying under the radar.

During the NFL draft process, the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was very clear on which prospect they wanted, and they got their guy when Najee Harris was selected by Pittsburgh 24th overall. To date, Harris has been everything Steelers’ fans were hoping for and has proven himself as a dominant back for years to come.

While Harris has been special, the Steelers are off to a mediocre 3-3 start. Most of the noise surrounding Pittsburgh is about the decline of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the inevitable end that his career is coming to. The conversation on Roethlisberger has overshadowed the quality production of Harris through his first six career games.

Najee Harris overshadowed by Steelers slow start

On Wednesday, ESPN released their rookie rankings through seven weeks. The list included a top 10, a just missed, and a keep an eye on  section, Harris’ name was among the many in the “keep an eye on” section. Denver Broncos running back, Javonte Williams, was rated higher than Harris, having made the “just missed” section.

A closer look at the production of Harris shows that he is being significantly overlooked. The NFL has been blessed with a lot of talented young backs over the past few seasons, and Harris’ numbers stack up with the best of them through their first six career games.

Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley were the Offensive Rookie of the Year winners in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Here’s how Harris stacks up against them through their first six career games.

Harris: rushing – 388 yards, 2 touchdowns | receiving – 34 catches, 244 yards, 2 touchdowns

Kamara: rushing – 215 yards, 1 touchdown | receiving – 28 catches, 209 yards, 1 touchdown

Barkley: rushing – 438 yards, 4 touchdowns | receiving – 40 catches, 373 yards, 2 touchdowns 

This comparison isn’t to say that Harris should win Offensive Rookie of the Year, the competition is different every year, but it is to highlight that he is on pace for a very good rookie season. Harris has already done something no other rookie running back has done since Kamara, by having an 100-yard rushing game and a separate 100-yard receiving game. Despite the challenge of playing with a quarterback in decline and a struggling run-blocking offensive line, Harris has found was to consistently produce on the ground and in the air.

It’s easy to look at what is going on in Pittsburgh and talk about Roethlisberger, Mike Tomlin coaching rumors, or the fact that the team may be headed towards a losing season. It should also be recognized that Harris is meeting the high expectations placed on him and will continue developing into a better back as the situation around him improves.