Najee and the rookie deal

[Litos]

He is definitely an above average pass catching RB, One of the best in the league. Rushing the ball is where I would like to see an improvement in efficiency and consistency. Not expecting every game to be like the one against the Browns but rushing under 50 yards per game for 40% of the games isn't gonna help any team win.

Rushing behind that abomination of an oline won't help any team to win

 

[jitter77]

Najee had no chance last year. One the Oline was terrible and he was often getting hit immediately. Two our offense revolved around throwing the ball 3 yrds down field so the defenses were crowding the line. I bet with just an average line / offense Najee would have looked real good. If our RB management doesn't improve we will get to the point of RBs not wanting to come here. A backup RB rarely plays and the RB1 just gets run into the ground. I think it's good faith to extend Najee early and i wouldn't have any problem with it

 

[steel dino]

He is definitely an above average pass catching RB, One of the best in the league. Rushing the ball is where I would like to see an improvement in efficiency and consistency. Not expecting every game to be like the one against the Browns but rushing under 50 yards per game for 40% of the games isn't gonna help any team win.

Part of that was o-line and game planning...but I would say most of his failures last year were due to his inexperience and thinking he could be successful by "out quicking", delaying to pick a hole, and get to the outside against NFL defenses..

He does not have that type of skill sets to be consistently successful by thinking he can "stay the same back" as he was at Alabama..

He needs to watch tape of Marshawn Lynch, Derrick Henry, and of course Jerome...
He could be "Beast Mode 2" if he played that way.

 

[Troglodyte]

Barkley got a 32 million fully guaranteed rookie contract. Najee got less than half that. Hope he isn't comparing himself to Barkley or he's in for disappointment once he realizes how the Steelers pay in comparison to other teams.

I think he and his agent are fully aware and weren’t forced at gun point to sign a contract. Draft picks are paid based on where they were drafted.

 

[Troglodyte]

Harris has not produced may big plays. The type of 20+ yard plays that lead to touchdowns vs the run of pass. I do not think he is that type of back who produces many big plays

I really hate fantasy football and what it has done to fans.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I really hate fantasy football and what it has done to fans.

I don't think that's a fantasy football assessment though. Outside of Derrick Henry, the top two backs in the NFL right now are Jonathan Taylor and Nick Chubb, and they are two of the most explosive with 14 and 12 20+ runs, respectively. Then you have guys like McCaffrey, Cook, and Kamara who are dangerous because of the big play ability through the ground and air. I actually do think he has big-play potential and hope to see more of it this year.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I’d bet the Steelers buck conventional wisdom and offer him a great deal, just as they did with Bell (a 2nd rounder who proved his worth). Even though it will be unwise from a futures production standpoint to offer him the deal…they will, because they take care of their stars.

So even though this is a ways down the road my prediction is they offer him a top of market deal when the time comes, even though they will be doing so for past production as MT will have worn over 70% off the tires and we’ll likely not be getting value towards the end of his 2nd contract.

But it is the Steeler way to take care of their own and as long as Najee remains the team player that he currently is we’ll hook him up

 

[skline00]

Please Coach Tomlin, don't run this young man's wheels off.

 

[bigben]

I’d bet the Steelers buck conventional wisdom and offer him a great deal, just as they did with Bell (a 2nd rounder who proved his worth). Even though it will be unwise from a futures production standpoint to offer him the deal…they will, because they take care of their stars.

So even though this is a ways down the road my prediction is they offer him a top of market deal when the time comes, even though they will be doing so for past production as MT will have worn over 70% off the tires and we’ll likely not be getting value towards the end of his 2nd contract.

But it is the Steeler way to take care of their own and as long as Najee remains the team player that he currently is we’ll hook him up

They wanted to give bell a big contract but guarunteed money was less than Barkley got before stepping foot on an nfl field. Bell was the best Rb in the Nfl at that point. Najee will never be the best Rb, nor will he ever get paid like it in pittsburgh.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I’d bet the Steelers buck conventional wisdom and offer him a great deal, just as they did with Bell (a 2nd rounder who proved his worth). Even though it will be unwise from a futures production standpoint to offer him the deal…they will, because they take care of their stars.

So even though this is a ways down the road my prediction is they offer him a top of market deal when the time comes, even though they will be doing so for past production as MT will have worn over 70% off the tires and we’ll likely not be getting value towards the end of his 2nd contract.

But it is the Steeler way to take care of their own and as long as Najee remains the team player that he currently is we’ll hook him up

If they want to extend his deal, they could also take the same approach they did with Johnson by only giving a 2-3 year extension. Running backs are generally at their best during their rookie deals and generally start to decline at 29. Harris was 23 as a rookie and will likely have a lot of miles by the time his contract ends with the Steelers. As much as I like him as a player, I'm not sure a long-term second contract would be in the best interest of the team.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I’m sure it wouldn’t (a long term contract be in the team’s best interest)
But that doesn’t seem to necessarily matter.

I’m pretty sure they 2nd contract him as long as he plays well…he’s a leader and the leaders are most always taken care of by the Steelers with a 2nd contract whether it makes sound financial sense or not.

Again like I said I wouldn’t pay him I’d just go grab some fresh wheels in a draft for Tomlin to run off, but the Steelers tend to take a different approach with team leaders.

Again this is a long time away (3-4 years) so it’s all just far sighted speculating that the standard method of operation continues.

Imo they offered Bell more than they should’ve and will probably do the same when the time comes for Najee

 

[Drink IRON City]

At the start of his 4th year give him a 2 or 3 year extension with a very nice guaranteed sum of $$$$$$

Obviously in jury & production have a say in the matter as well.


Salute the nation

 

[Aussie_Steeler]

If I were part of the nflpa I'd push for a higher scale clause exclusive for RBs , I mean it's fair for those guys to get an extra bonus given their shortened career

It won't happen - the only players to benefit would be future NFL players, current players aren't going to vote to increase the amount of money going to rookies, therefore reducing the amounts available for them.

It's how a rookie pay scale was able to be brought in. Reducing rookie pay meant more money left over to pay to the players already in the league ( who are the ones who voted on the CBA).

 

[Litos]

It won't happen - the only players to benefit would be future NFL players, current players aren't going to vote to increase the amount of money going to rookies, therefore reducing the amounts available for them.

It's how a rookie pay scale was able to be brought in. Reducing rookie pay meant more money left over to pay to the players already in the league ( who are the ones who voted on the CBA).

The escalator would be for all RBs, not only rookies

 

[Drink IRON City]

It won't happen - the only players to benefit would be future NFL players, current players aren't going to vote to increase the amount of money going to rookies, therefore reducing the amounts available for them.

It's how a rookie pay scale was able to be brought in. Reducing rookie pay meant more money left over to pay to the players already in the league ( who are the ones who voted on the CBA).

VERY good point Aussie_Steeler, I don't know the answer but somewhere betweeen RB more initial money or a shortened rookie contract seems most likely. RBs are ONLY a very small percentage of vote so the NFLPA will have to "sell" the idea to the majority and I think a good percentage of the players know this has been a problem for quite some time.

Bell had some out cry of support from several players (not running backs) throughout the league.


Salute the nation

 

[Troglodyte]

I don't think that's a fantasy football assessment though. Outside of Derrick Henry, the top two backs in the NFL right now are Jonathan Taylor and Nick Chubb, and they are two of the most explosive with 14 and 12 20+ runs, respectively. Then you have guys like McCaffrey, Cook, and Kamara who are dangerous because of the big play ability through the ground and air. I actually do think he has big-play potential and hope to see more of it this year.

My point was that while a 20 yard run is a big play, it’s not necessarily a bigger play than a 2 yard run on 3rd or 4th and 1 (or goal), or turning a 2 yard loss into a 2 yard gain. Harris did a lot of that last year.

 

[SteelerFan448]

My point was that while a 20 yard run is a big play, it’s not necessarily a bigger play than a 2 yard run on 3rd or 4th and 1 (or goal), or turning a 2 yard loss into a 2 yard gain. Harris did a lot of that last year.

Running backs can do both.

 

[SteelerSask2]

They wanted to give bell a big contract but guarunteed money was less than Barkley got before stepping foot on an nfl field. Bell was the best Rb in the Nfl at that point. Najee will never be the best Rb, nor will he ever get paid like it in pittsburgh.

Slow down nostradamus. He played behind a total garbage line with a qb in an offense not suited for him. I don't think he is a home run hitter but I think he could gas a defense with real blocking. He is also a great receiving back. Let's at least give him this year before we decide his ceiling.

 

[BLITZ]

lets cut him

 

[stillwright]

How about let Harris play two more years and then revisit this conversation. At that point maybe I would entertain reworking his contract depending on what has transpired.....maybe that is.

 

[SteelerSask2]

How about let Harris play two more years and then revisit this conversation. At that point maybe I would entertain reworking his contract depending on what has transpired.....maybe that is.

Pretty much what I'm saying. Not saying rework the deal now.

 

[titus]

They wanted to give bell a big contract but guarunteed money was less than Barkley got before stepping foot on an nfl field. Bell was the best Rb in the Nfl at that point. Najee will never be the best Rb, nor will he ever get paid like it in pittsburgh.

You do realize that rookie deals are slotted, right? There is very little leeway teams have in terms of what they can do, both up and down, guaranteed money, etc. Barkley was a #2 pick in the draft, he was given #2 money, and he had to get paid. Najee was #24 and was given #24 money. Barkley was paid like a high end QB or an edge rusher, OT. Not that hard to figure out.