How long can Harris retain stronghold on Steelers rushing attack
Published August 23rd 10:37 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh, PA – Against the Buffalo Bills in the Steelers second preseason game, back-up running back Jayle Warren ripped off a 62-yard run. It was the accelerant needed to spark a conversation that’s been simmering quietly regarding Pittsburgh’s backfield.
Is Najee Harris worthy of his untouchable status as the team’s leading ball carrier?
Harris runs hard. Incredibly hard.
He carries the football with extreme authority. His forward lean after each rushing attempt is something about his game, I admire the most. I love it. The punishing foundation of his running style appears to be based on an ideology that Harris runs every snap as if it could be his last.
His internal leadership amongst his positional unit and extra time spent on detail (always one of the last players off the practice field) doesn’t go unnoticed.
Nevertheless, are those athletic traits and positive individual intangibles enough for him to be the undisputed lone featured back in the Steelers rushing attack?
Entering his third season in the National Football League, the heavy workload has produced modest production. Last season, only four other running backs in the National Football League carried the football more than Harris. He was fifth in carries (272) and ranked 15th in the league in rushing yards (1,034).
“I think that Najee’s our one,” Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada said to local media earlier this week. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Should we be so sure about that Matt?
Among the 16 players who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, Harris was the only player that failed to gain four or more yards per carry. The other 15 players averaged 4.8 yards per carry compared to Harris at 3.8 yards per carry last season.
That’s the same average per carry (3.8) as Zeke Elliott had for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. The hashtags associated with Elliott are, #washed-up, #lost-a-step or #past-his-prime due to his below average yards per carry while Harris is safeguarded as a premier back in the NFL.
Should Canada be so sure?
Harris was fifth in carries, but his output pales in comparison to the others collectively. The numbers are indicative of what we’ve seen thus far in 2023. A back without the burst to gain separation. Harris showcases more of a skillset of a short yardage battering ram, and the numbers indicate he’s far from a big play threat to churn out big chunks of yards.
| Najee Harris Numbers vs 2022 1,000 Rushers | |||
| Yards | YPC | Carries | |
| Harris | 1.034 | 3.8 | 272 |
| Group | 1,213 Avg. | 4.8 Avg. | 267 Avg. |
Awe, the protection of being selected in the first round. It does come with benefits. Compared to Harris’s back-up Warren who went undrafted out of Oklahoma State last year appears to have outperformed the former Alabama running back of late. Harris’s career average per season has never eclipsed the league standard barrier for success of 4.0 yards per carry.
| Najee Harris Numbers vs 2022 1,000 Rushers (1st Downs) | |||
| Rush 1st | Rush 1st % | Rush TDs | |
| Harris | 45 | 16.5 | 7 |
| Group | 59.6 | 24.3 | 8.8 |
Harris averaged 3.9 his rookie year and dipped slightly below that (3.8) last year. Warren averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his rookie debut in 2022. The most glaring numbers that seem to indicate Harris simply doesn’t pack the big play ability are the statistics regarding ‘long runs’ amongst the top 16 rushers from last year. This was a little surprising, I’m not going to lie. Harris had one single carry out of his 272 that exceeded 20-plus yards. A 36-yard run was his longest of the season.
| Najee Harris Numbers vs 2022 1,000 Rushers (Long Runs) | |||
| 20+ Total/Avg | 40+ Total/Avg | Total | |
| Harris | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Group | 122/8.1 Avg | 33/2.2 Avg | 155 |
Warren’s 62-yard to paydirt against the Bills Saturday night, finally brought the subject to boil over. This topic has been swirling and gaining momentum as Warren and Anthony McFarland have impressed in training camp while Harris has not. Those pro-Harris can point to him not being 100% healthy last season but that goes together with availability (being at your best) is as important as ability.
“We are fortunate,” Canada said. “We’re excited about Jaylen and Najee.”
Canada is fortunate to have the pair of running backs at his disposal. If Harris doesn’t produce at the highest level, when will the Steelers shift from their overindulgence to force feed a player not producing in comparison to the league’s other top backs. When will the committee be implemented to maximize the Steelers rushing attack if Harris fails to live up to the standards of the other top backs in the NFL.
The only way to dissolve the topic is for Harris to play to the elite level he endears himself to be. Otherwise, the situation isn’t going to disappear. Warren and McFarland currently have a spark with the ball in their hands.
Harris hasn’t demonstrated that electric vibe of late.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
