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Najee Harris is coming off a record-breaking rookie year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will look to keep the momentum going in 2022. However, he will have the infamous “sophomore slump” hurdle that he’ll have to avoid. We’ve seen this trend affect all players, regardless of how impactful they are to their teams. According to Harvard Sports Analysis Collective, after analyzing players who out-performed their projections in their rookie years, the regression for running backs was clear-cut in their second year. The data shows that running backs saw their Pro Football Focus grade drop by nearly 6%.
Photo via Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
It’s simple – the Steelers’ retooled offensive line. It was tough sledding for Harris last season, only averaging 1.7 yards before contact per attempt, which puts him in the bottom six of qualified ball carriers in the league last year. Much of this blame can be put on the poor run block win rate of the offensive line, which was pegged as one of the worst in the NFL in 2021. As a whole, the group finished with the seventh-worst grade in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
Harris is a true workhorse. In his rookie year, he was on the field for 84% of the offensive snaps, and set the Steelers’ all-time franchise rookie record for rushing yards (1,200) and receptions (74). Harris also finished second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,667). He also broke the all-time Steelers’ rookie rushing record in a season – one that was set by Franco Harris. If the Steelers continue to utilize him as both a runner and receiver, he can continue to rack up the yards. Couple this with the new and improved offensive line, and the sky is the limit.
Numbers never lie, and the numbers above show Harris will fall victim to the trend. However, it’s encouraging to know that players who do fall into the sophomore slump tend to get back to form in their third year.
It’s unclear how the offense will operate. Last year, Ben Roethlisberger relied on his dink and dunk plays due to his inability to throw the deep ball. Harris saw a league-high 94 targets and 74 receptions amongst qualified running backs. Will the addition of Mitch Trubisky, or the selection of Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft help or hurt the offensive production, and will their mobility reduce these touches? With his high-usage rate to add on top of that, Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, may opt to use another body more frequently in the backfield to keep his legs fresh.
Do you think Harris can avoid the sophomore slump? What do you think his production will look like heading into the 2022 season? Let us know in the comments, below!
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Photo via Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Why Najee Harris Can Avoid It
It’s simple – the Steelers’ retooled offensive line. It was tough sledding for Harris last season, only averaging 1.7 yards before contact per attempt, which puts him in the bottom six of qualified ball carriers in the league last year. Much of this blame can be put on the poor run block win rate of the offensive line, which was pegged as one of the worst in the NFL in 2021. As a whole, the group finished with the seventh-worst grade in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
Harris is a true workhorse. In his rookie year, he was on the field for 84% of the offensive snaps, and set the Steelers’ all-time franchise rookie record for rushing yards (1,200) and receptions (74). Harris also finished second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,667). He also broke the all-time Steelers’ rookie rushing record in a season – one that was set by Franco Harris. If the Steelers continue to utilize him as both a runner and receiver, he can continue to rack up the yards. Couple this with the new and improved offensive line, and the sky is the limit.
Why Harris Won’t Avoid It
Numbers never lie, and the numbers above show Harris will fall victim to the trend. However, it’s encouraging to know that players who do fall into the sophomore slump tend to get back to form in their third year.
It’s unclear how the offense will operate. Last year, Ben Roethlisberger relied on his dink and dunk plays due to his inability to throw the deep ball. Harris saw a league-high 94 targets and 74 receptions amongst qualified running backs. Will the addition of Mitch Trubisky, or the selection of Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft help or hurt the offensive production, and will their mobility reduce these touches? With his high-usage rate to add on top of that, Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, may opt to use another body more frequently in the backfield to keep his legs fresh.
Do you think Harris can avoid the sophomore slump? What do you think his production will look like heading into the 2022 season? Let us know in the comments, below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
