The idea of having the Miami Dolphins land Najee Harris with their second pick of the NFL Draft’s first round -- No. 18 overall -- has usually come with the thought the team needs to upgrade its running game.
Miami was, after all, 29th in the league in rush yards per attempt last season and the 3.9 yard per carry average made the Dolphins one of only four teams to average less than 4 yards per carry.
So Najee Harris, right?
He’s a running back. He was Alabama’s starter last year. And he’s arguably the best running back in the draft.
But Tuesday, with Dolphins general manager Chris Grier in attendance, Harris gave teams considering him in the draft another reason to pick him: He has become a truly accomplished receiver.
And the Dolphins need a reliable pass catcher in the backfield if they can get one because #LoadupforTua.
Harris didn’t run a 40-yard dash but did his position drills at the University of Alabama’s second pro day on Tuesday. He also caught a lot of passes.
And it was impressive.
He ran wheel routes
He ran option routes.
He ran seam routes from the slot.
He ran out-and-up routes.
He ran angle routes.
The dude even ran a sluggo (slant and go) lined up as a receiver.
And, yes, Harris ran all the requisite routes out of play action in the backfield as well.
“I didn’t want to run just the basic swings, and the flat arrows and the 5-yard curls,” Harris told the NFL Network. “...You saw me do everything, really, that a wide receiver would do.”
Throughout the drills, in service to quarterback Mac Jones on his second workout for scouts within a week, Harris displayed soft and strong hands. He didn’t double catch passes.
He looked very good.
“In terms of route polish and his ability to do everything in the passing game, to me, he’d be right up there at the top of the list,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said of Harris.
And this: Harris rushed for 1,466 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per attempt last season, which is good. But he also caught 43 passes for 425 yards and a 9.9 yard-per-catch average.
In the National Championship Game Harris rushed 22 times for 79 yards and also caught seven passes for 79 yards. He scored three touchdowns that night — two rushing and one receiving.
So in a game dominated by teammate DeVonta Smith, Harris accounted for 168 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns.
So Harris offers NFL teams an accomplished runner. But Tuesday’s pro day reminded he has also become an accomplished receiver.
“He’s upped his stock because he is a very good receiver.” said former Auburn coach Gene Chzik, now an analyst for the SEC Network.
And so we’ve reached the key question in this column: Is Harris a viable choice for the Dolphins with the No. 18 overall selection.
Well, drafting a running back that high is lately not en vogue among NFL teams. But you just read the reasons to do exactly that — because he’s a complementary player for the running and passing games.
But the Dolphins, with trader general manager Chris Grier at the helm of the draft, might also consider trading down from No. 18 and still get Harris.
Here’s how it might work: The team to be concerned about coveting Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers at No 24 overall in the first round.
The Steelers need a lead back.
Harris, at 230 pounds, is their kind of running back.
And No. 24 is about the place where Harris becomes a definite value pick.
That means if the Dolphins have a desire to pick Harris, they might consider trading down as far as No. 22 overall — because Washington (No. 19), Chicago (No. 20), Indianapolis (No. 21) and Tennessee (No. 22) don’t really need a running back.
The Washington Football Team last season drafted 220-pound Antonio Gibson. The Bears have Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery. The Colts wisely drafted Jonathan Taylor last year. The Titans have the NFL’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry.
So the Dolphins could drop and still be relatively certain the Steelers, who have other needs along the offensive line and on defense, probably won’t jump them in order to grab Harris.
Also, look at the rest of the teams remaining at the bottom of the first round. Which need a running back?
Jacksonville at No. 25? Maybe, but they have 1,000-yard rusher James Robinson.
Cleveland at No. 26? Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Baltimore at No. 27. They bled talent in free agency and none of it at running back that they valued.
New Orleans at No. 28? Alvin Kamara.
Green Bay at No. 29? Maybe, but Aaron Jones.
Buffalo at No. 30? They’re picking at No. 30. The Dolphins have a lot of work to do, folks.
Anyway, the Bills are going to keep filling in a strong roster, and they truly are in position to draft best player available.
Kansas City at No. 31. They have no one to play offensive tackle right now.
Tampa Bay at No. 32? They re-signed Leonard Fournette.
The coast is clear for the Dolphins to not just get Harris but get him possibly in a trade-down. And they would get an accomplished runner and a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Weird response considering McShay was complimenting him.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports there are "no concerns" about RB Najee Harris' injured ankle.
Rapoport added that there are no long-term issues with Devonta Smith's dislocated finger with torn ligaments. that Harris' ankle isn't expected to affect his draft standing. Harris, who rushed for 2,670 yards and scored an eye-popping 50 touchdowns over his final two years at Alabama, sat out the Senior Bowl in January as he recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in Alabama's national championship win over Ohio State. NBC Sports Edge's Thor Nystrom ranks Harris as the No. 2 running back in the 2021 draft, behind only Javonte Williams. Harris' ankle issue won't stop him from being a first rounder.
RELATED:
Devonta Smith
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 14, 2021, 9:31 AM ET
I'm confused. Does that mean you are pushing the chips in to get him, or not?I find myself almost unable to push many, many chips into the center of the table in order to be able to draft him.
I meant that so far I've been able to keep myself from pushing in the chips - but I'm increasingly unable to. That was poorly written.I'm confused. Does that mean you are pushing the chips in to get him, or not?
I just traded 1.04 and 1.12 for 1.01 and 3.01 in one league (single QB). Planning on Harris there.
Gotcha. That's what I thought you meant, you're almost unable to stop yourself.I meant that so far I've been able to keep myself from pushing in the chips - but I'm increasingly unable to. That was poorly written.
I really want to have him on the roster. He's the #1 RB and I can't be convinced otherwise.
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. - Indiana JonesGotcha. That's what I thought you meant, you're almost unable to stop yourself.
I agree with the bolded! I'm fairly underwhelmed by Etienne and Javonte. This guy is huge, runs patient, and catches really well. The only negative for me is that he's 23. If he were 21 he'd be a Zeke level prospect for me. And if he ends up on the Steelers his rookie year might look a lot like Zeke's.
I agree - if you got 6 years out of him who would complain about that?Andy Dufresne said:It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. - Indiana Jones
He wasn't overused in college. I don't care a whit about his age.
Well it's not a huge deal, but I care a bit. I'm just saying if he were 2 years younger like a lot of the RBs last year, he'd be an almost perfect prospect in my book. All else equal I'd prefer a guy like Taylor last year, with a heavier workload in college but 21 years old entering the league. It gives him some value insulation if he doesn't have a great year 1.I agree - if you got 6 years out of him who would complain about that?
Andy Dufresne said:It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. - Indiana Jones
He wasn't overused in college. I don't care a whit about his age.
I disagree somewhat on age vs. mileage. I think it's likely both, with more weight to age.I agree - if you got 6 years out of him who would complain about that?
This is certainly true, but it scales with the 2 years older guys as well. Sure people aren't getting 1.05 startup trade value for Kamara or Barkley, but they're still getting a lot.I just can't get behind gauging a guy based on startup value. I just can't.
Instead, just look how difficult it is to get what you think is commensurate value for trading away an elite back these days. Nobody's getting what they think CMC, Kamara, Barkley, Elliott et al is worth because those looking to buy know they don't want to give up multiple pieces of guys earlier in their careers in return.
Fair enough if you can really stick to that. I know my own weaknesses and I think a lot of FF owners share them. The only RB I've owned for his whole career is Adrian Peterson and Najee is no Peterson."What would their value be right now if they were a couple months away from turning 28 rather than a couple months away from 26? What would Saquon's value be if he were a 26 year old coming off an ACL tear rather than a 24 year old coming off an ACL tear?"
For me? The same. Because I'm interested in the total amount of usable elite years. Which is about four for an NFL RB.
It’s hard to do something at Alabama until it’s “your turn” - their backfield is stacked each and every year. I get that being older gives him an advantage at that level but generally speaking I don’t hold breakout age (or usage rates) against Alabama skill players.I agree that his age is a factor, but not just because of the likely shorter window for FF that he'll have. Harris didn't really do much in college until his junior season, when he was 21 years old, and his huge season last year came as a 22 year old. It's a little less impressive when compared with someone like Etienne, who broke out as a 19 year old sophomore.
Not enough to drastically change his value or ranking or anything, but it's definitely something to consider IMO.
Yeah I know, and like I said I don't ding him for it, but it is more of a plus to me when someone does it at a younger age vs. older. I think of it sort of like 40 times for a RB- not a huge factor as long as it's in a reasonable range, but all else being equal of course I'd prefer someone ran a faster time than a slower one.It’s hard to do something at Alabama until it’s “your turn” - their backfield is stacked each and every year. I get that being older gives him an advantage at that level but generally speaking I don’t hold breakout age (or usage rates) against Alabama skill players.
I prefer Chase or Pitts over Harris, ETN, or Williams in dynasty if I have a top 3 pick, even if I'm desperate for a RB. I know that sounds crazy, but that is where I'm at today.Yeah I know, and like I said I don't ding him for it, but it is more of a plus to me when someone does it at a younger age vs. older. I think of it sort of like 40 times for a RB- not a huge factor as long as it's in a reasonable range, but all else being equal of course I'd prefer someone ran a faster time than a slower one.
I am in the same place...I prefer Chase or Pitts over Harris, ETN, or Williams in dynasty if I have a top 3 pick, even if I'm desperate for a RB. I know that sounds crazy, but that is where I'm at today.
Wait until Chase ends up in Miami with the weakling Tua at QB. That’s my fear.I prefer Chase or Pitts over Harris, ETN, or Williams in dynasty if I have a top 3 pick, even if I'm desperate for a RB. I know that sounds crazy, but that is where I'm at today.
I'm thinking Bengals.Wait until Chase ends up in Miami with the weakling Tua at QB. That’s my fear.
If they don’t take a LT their GM should be sued for malpractice.I'm thinking Bengals.
I personally wouldn't take Sewell (sp?) over Chase. I don't think he is dominate enough that he should be taken top 5. Maybe 6 to 10 area. Not enough to choose him over someone like Chase or Pitts.If they don’t take a LT their GM should be sued for malpractice.
I'm with you plus it's considered one of deeper OL drafts in years, they signed Reiff as stop gap and I expect they can and would address OL with round 2+.I personally wouldn't take Sewell (sp?) over Chase. I don't think he is anything special, especially top 5. Maybe 6 to 10 area. Not enough to choose him over someone like Chase or Pitts.
If they grade the many tier 2 LT prospects as starting caliber (and many do) then this plan makes sense.If they don’t take a LT their GM should be sued for malpractice.
He finished 5th in voting, was only 3rd in Heisman votes on his team though. I don't think Heisman votes matter at all for the NFL.he almost won the heisman, right?
I wouldn't count 790 yards,4 TDs, 6.5 ypc as a sophomore at Alabama playing in a backfield with Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris as doing nothing.I agree that his age is a factor, but not just because of the likely shorter window for FF that he'll have. Harris didn't really do much in college until his junior season, when he was 21 years old, and his huge season last year came as a 22 year old. It's a little less impressive when compared with someone like Etienne, who broke out as a 19 year old sophomore.
Not enough to drastically change his value or ranking or anything, but it's definitely something to consider IMO.
5th in the entire country for the heisman is "almost winning" it, imo.He finished 5th in voting, was only 3rd in Heisman votes on his team though. I don't think Heisman votes matter at all for the NFL.
Yes but there are 2-4 RBs who finish top 10 in voting every year. Many of them were huge hits for fantasy: Jonathan Taylor, CMC, Zeke. Some not so much: Bryce Hall, Toby Gerhart, Andre Williams.5th in the entire country for the heisman is "almost winning" it, imo.
and he's a rb... Bush, Ingram and Henry the only 3 since 2000 to win it.
i do agree with you that heisman votes dont matter for the nfl, but his pedigree is off the charts
Who has Lance going three? Most of the mocks are Lawrence, Wilson, Fields or Jones. Lance maybe to ATL or ATL trades down and somebody trades up for Lance, or if Jones goes three, then trade up for Fields or ATL takes him for the future. Lance seems to be out of the top three any way you slice it according to most. But who knows? That's the fun of the draft, eh?so we're at a point now that sewell isn't a top 10 pick but lance is a top 3? jeez
He has another pro day coming up on Monday so he’ll get some hype.Who has Lance going three? Most of the mocks are Lawrence, Wilson, Fields or Jones. Lance maybe to ATL or ATL trades down and somebody trades up for Lance, or if Jones goes three, then trade up for Fields or ATL takes him for the future. Lance seems to be out of the top three any way you slice it according to most. But who knows? That's the fun of the draft, eh?
Lance was some people's #2 before his season got cut to one game. Daniel Jeremiah being one of them so not just off the wall kooks.so we're at a point now that sewell isn't a top 10 pick but lance is a top 3? jeez
I'm for sure not convinced Lance is out of the running for 3 to SF. He's been my original call to them since they got the pick. Now I'll admit I've wavered big time on that as the rumor mill made me question what I thought but in just the last hour I've read stuff saying it's between Lance and Fields at 3.Who has Lance going three? Most of the mocks are Lawrence, Wilson, Fields or Jones.
I think Lance is Waldman's second. I wasn't saying that it came out of nowhere. I'm talking about everything we've been hearing since the trade. Lance is barely mentioned to SF.Lance was some people's #2 before his season got cut to one game. Daniel Jeremiah being one of them so not just off the wall kooks.
I'm for sure not convinced Lance is out of the running for 3 to SF.