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Najee: is he top 10?

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DesertSteel

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A recent poll of execs, coaches, players and scouts (posted on ESPN+) left Najee outside the top 10. He even failed to land honorable mention.

Personally, I’m not a big Najee believer. I think it was a bad pick in R1. But I’d put him somewhere between 9-11.

What say you, is he top 10? Try to base it on his actual performance and not what you hope he will be in 2023.
 
I'm not sure any back is worth a number 1, that said it's almost impossible to run into a brick wall and move it by yourself.

That plus playing through the injury last year. He did come on stronger at the end of the season, and hoping the new pieces in the OL will be able to move
some bodies for him.
 
As of this writing HE HAS NOT BEEN AND US NOT A TOP 10 BACK

Dude needs to shine
 
Based on his performance? Not at all. Guys I'd rank over him right now:
Nick Chubb
Josh Jacobs
Christian McCaffrey
Jonathan Taylor
Saquon Barkley
Derrick Henry
Aaron Jones
Travis Etienne
Dalvin Cook
Austin Ekeler
Tony Pollard
Rhamondre Stevenson
Kenneth Walker
Breece Hall (injury aside)
J.K. Dobbins (when healthy)

Now we are in the Najee territory. I'd even consider Dameon Pierce ahead of him and I'm absolutely putting rookie Bijan Robinson ahead of him heading into the season. I guess that puts him at 17 or 18 for me entering the season.

Before the excuses get started, because Najee gets more excuses than anyone on this team, the Steelers offensive line ranked 14th per PFF last season. Here's the rushing average of the leading rushers (by number of carries) of the lines ranked worse. I bolded the RBs with a better YPC than Harris, who ranks 40th in yards per attempt in runners with at least 6.25 attempts per game.

14. N. Harris, PIT - 1,034 yards, 3.8 YPC
15. E. Elliott, DAL - 876 yards, 3.8 YPC
16. D. Montgomery, CHI - 801 yards, 4.0 YPC
17. A. Ekeler, LAC - 915 yards, 4.5 YPC
18. M. Gordon, DEN - 318 yards, 3.5 YPC
19. D. Cook, MIN - 1,173 yards, 4.4 YPC
20. D. Singeltary, BUF - 819 yards, 4.6 YPC
21. K. Walker, SEA - 1,050 yards, 4.6 YPC
22. J. Williams, DET - 1,066 yards, 4.1 YPC
23. J. Taylor, IND - 861 yards, 4.5 YPC
24. Cam Akers, LAR - 786 yards, 4.2 YPC
25. B. Robinson, WAS - 797 yards, 3.9 YPC
26. A. Kamara, NOR - 897 yards, 4.0 YPC
27. S. Barkley, NYG - 1,312 yards, 4.4 YPC
28. D. Pierce, HOU - 939 yards, 4.3 YPC
29. R. Mostert, MIA - 891 yards, 4.9 YPC
30. M. Carter, NYJ - 402 yards, 3.5 YPC
31. J. Mixon, CIN - 814 yards, 3.9 YPC
32. D. Henry, TEN - 1,538 yards, 4.4 YPC

  • Elliott led the Cowboys in carries, but it was a split backfield with Pollard, who led the team with 1,007 yards and 5.2 YPC.
  • Gordon is a backup in Denver. Javonte Williams averaged 4.3 YPC over four games before his season-ending injury.
  • Breece Hall was a monster in New York with 5.8 YPC and 463 yard before a season-ending injury. Michael Carter was underwhelming.
This doesn't even factor Harris' last place finish in rushing yards over expected among qualifiers this past season. Now I don't think he's a bad running back, just an average starter so far and an underwhelming first-round pick. He's been a volume producer so far and only has 12 games in 35 played with at least 4.0 YPC.

As a rusher, I think he compares very favorably so far with a guy like Joe Mixon. He will be productive, just not overly productive. Adequate in the passing game and not much of a big play threat.

Given the emphasis on the running game and the upgrades made for the offensive line, I expect him to approach 4.4+ yards per carry this season, double-digit touchdowns, and be more a factor in the passing game. We really need a lot more production from this first-round investment.
 
There is about a 100 yards of rushing and one rushing td difference between Harris and MCcaffery. There is a substantial difference in receiving but Harris neither blocks for himself nor throw to himself way too late in the progression. So you decide.
If I'm the Oc I'm getting the ball to Harris in space 5 times a game. No question.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Based on his performance? Not at all. Guys I'd rank over him right now:
Nick Chubb
Josh Jacobs
Christian McCaffrey
Jonathan Taylor
Saquon Barkley
Derrick Henry
Aaron Jones
Travis Etienne
Dalvin Cook
Austin Ekeler
Tony Pollard
Rhamondre Stevenson
Kenneth Walker
Breece Hall (injury aside)
J.K. Dobbins (when healthy)

Now we are in the Najee territory. I'd even consider Dameon Pierce ahead of him and I'm absolutely putting rookie Bijan Robinson ahead of him heading into the season. I guess that puts him at 17 or 18 for me entering the season.

Before the excuses get started, because Najee gets more excuses than anyone on this team, the Steelers offensive line ranked 14th per PFF last season. Here's the rushing average of the leading rushers (by number of carries) of the lines ranked worse. I bolded the RBs with a better YPC than Harris, who ranks 40th in yards per attempt in runners with at least 6.25 attempts per game.

14. N. Harris, PIT - 1,034 yards, 3.8 YPC
15. E. Elliott, DAL - 876 yards, 3.8 YPC
16. D. Montgomery, CHI - 801 yards, 4.0 YPC
17. A. Ekeler, LAC - 915 yards, 4.5 YPC
18. M. Gordon, DEN - 318 yards, 3.5 YPC
19. D. Cook, MIN - 1,173 yards, 4.4 YPC
20. D. Singeltary, BUF - 819 yards, 4.6 YPC
21. K. Walker, SEA - 1,050 yards, 4.6 YPC
22. J. Williams, DET - 1,066 yards, 4.1 YPC
23. J. Taylor, IND - 861 yards, 4.5 YPC
24. Cam Akers, LAR - 786 yards, 4.2 YPC
25. B. Robinson, WAS - 797 yards, 3.9 YPC
26. A. Kamara, NOR - 897 yards, 4.0 YPC
27. S. Barkley, NYG - 1,312 yards, 4.4 YPC
28. D. Pierce, HOU - 939 yards, 4.3 YPC
29. R. Mostert, MIA - 891 yards, 4.9 YPC
30. M. Carter, NYJ - 402 yards, 3.5 YPC
31. J. Mixon, CIN - 814 yards, 3.9 YPC
32. D. Henry, TEN - 1,538 yards, 4.4 YPC

  • Elliott led the Cowboys in carries, but it was a split backfield with Pollard, who led the team with 1,007 yards and 5.2 YPC.
  • Gordon is a backup in Denver. Javonte Williams averaged 4.3 YPC over four games before his season-ending injury.
  • Breece Hall was a monster in New York with 5.8 YPC and 463 yard before a season-ending injury. Michael Carter was underwhelming.
This doesn't even factor Harris' last place finish in rushing yards over expected among qualifiers this past season. Now I don't think he's a bad running back, just an average starter so far and an underwhelming first-round pick. He's been a volume producer so far and only has 12 games in 35 played with at least 4.0 YPC.

As a rusher, I think he compares very favorably so far with a guy like Joe Mixon. He will be productive, just not overly productive. Adequate in the passing game and not much of a big play threat.

Given the emphasis on the running game and the upgrades made for the offensive line, I expect him to approach 4.4+ yards per carry this season, double-digit touchdowns, and be more a factor in the passing game. We really need a lot more production from this first-round investment.
Click to expand...
Not sure how PFF calculates their rankings, but Najee ranked WAY at the bottom in yards before contact. Also the beginning of the season was dreadful offensively so it is hard to judge what was going on exactly. Also factor in a pretty significant injury for Najee to start the season and you get bad production. After the bye the team flipped a switch and the Oline and Najee played much better. On paper the line / offense should be better so we will see. I think this is a make / break year for Najee. It is very hard to judge a RB in this offense when you have the scheme we had for most of the last 2 years. I would not put Najee in the top 10 now, but I think he can get there this year as long as we have some type of real offensive scheme.
 
He is a bruiser. I like to watch him manhandle defenders trying to tackle him. It's old fashioned football. He isn't particularly fast. He can wear a defense down.
 
I don't think any Steeler fan is expecting Harris to have peaked yet.
The OL and OC have both dragged down his performance, especially last year w/o Ben to keep the D a bit further off the LOS. And his foot was injured for the first few weeks, but he played thru that rather than sitting.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Based on his performance? Not at all. Guys I'd rank over him right now:
Nick Chubb
Josh Jacobs
Christian McCaffrey
Jonathan Taylor
Saquon Barkley
Derrick Henry
Aaron Jones
Travis Etienne
Dalvin Cook
Austin Ekeler
Tony Pollard
Rhamondre Stevenson
Kenneth Walker
Breece Hall (injury aside)
J.K. Dobbins (when healthy)

Now we are in the Najee territory. I'd even consider Dameon Pierce ahead of him and I'm absolutely putting rookie Bijan Robinson ahead of him heading into the season. I guess that puts him at 17 or 18 for me entering the season.

Before the excuses get started, because Najee gets more excuses than anyone on this team, the Steelers offensive line ranked 14th per PFF last season. Here's the rushing average of the leading rushers (by number of carries) of the lines ranked worse. I bolded the RBs with a better YPC than Harris, who ranks 40th in yards per attempt in runners with at least 6.25 attempts per game.

14. N. Harris, PIT - 1,034 yards, 3.8 YPC
15. E. Elliott, DAL - 876 yards, 3.8 YPC
16. D. Montgomery, CHI - 801 yards, 4.0 YPC
17. A. Ekeler, LAC - 915 yards, 4.5 YPC
18. M. Gordon, DEN - 318 yards, 3.5 YPC
19. D. Cook, MIN - 1,173 yards, 4.4 YPC
20. D. Singeltary, BUF - 819 yards, 4.6 YPC
21. K. Walker, SEA - 1,050 yards, 4.6 YPC
22. J. Williams, DET - 1,066 yards, 4.1 YPC
23. J. Taylor, IND - 861 yards, 4.5 YPC
24. Cam Akers, LAR - 786 yards, 4.2 YPC
25. B. Robinson, WAS - 797 yards, 3.9 YPC
26. A. Kamara, NOR - 897 yards, 4.0 YPC
27. S. Barkley, NYG - 1,312 yards, 4.4 YPC
28. D. Pierce, HOU - 939 yards, 4.3 YPC
29. R. Mostert, MIA - 891 yards, 4.9 YPC
30. M. Carter, NYJ - 402 yards, 3.5 YPC
31. J. Mixon, CIN - 814 yards, 3.9 YPC
32. D. Henry, TEN - 1,538 yards, 4.4 YPC

  • Elliott led the Cowboys in carries, but it was a split backfield with Pollard, who led the team with 1,007 yards and 5.2 YPC.
  • Gordon is a backup in Denver. Javonte Williams averaged 4.3 YPC over four games before his season-ending injury.
  • Breece Hall was a monster in New York with 5.8 YPC and 463 yard before a season-ending injury. Michael Carter was underwhelming.
This doesn't even factor Harris' last place finish in rushing yards over expected among qualifiers this past season. Now I don't think he's a bad running back, just an average starter so far and an underwhelming first-round pick. He's been a volume producer so far and only has 12 games in 35 played with at least 4.0 YPC.

As a rusher, I think he compares very favorably so far with a guy like Joe Mixon. He will be productive, just not overly productive. Adequate in the passing game and not much of a big play threat.

Given the emphasis on the running game and the upgrades made for the offensive line, I expect him to approach 4.4+ yards per carry this season, double-digit touchdowns, and be more a factor in the passing game. We really need a lot more production from this first-round investment.
Click to expand...

They should do a 70/30 split in the backfield, if Warren keeps outplaying him Warren should get the 70% and Najee the 30%
I know Najee was the big spend first rounder, but Warren looked electric last year and you gotta give the ball to the best guy if you want to win.
Cowher was smart enough to make that switch in 2005 with UDFA Willie Parker, and the rest is history.
 
DesertSteel said:
Explosive plays? Najee (IIRC) was about 39th in the league for RBs.
Click to expand...

There won’t be any EXCUSES for anyone this season. From the top (TomLin) on down to the players as individuals, there have been upgrades or depth adders.

I think right now on this entire team, the OC is the question mark on the team.


Salute the nation
 
As usual I am somewhere in between all options. I think he had moments but not enough of them. I think the Online and Najee hindered his performance at different times. At his best he will move the chains and is pass catch capable. At worst he won't be knocking your socks 🧦 off with explosive plays. I think our line will run block better this season so I expect that average per carry to rise. If not his tenure won't be a long one...
 
Improved OL combined with a better TE group that can only help him in the run game + recovery from the foot injury should equal an upward trend for Najee. The one true uncertainty is the OC/playcalling.

But call me a liar if Najee's punishing straight arms to dude's faces and hurdling leaps over dudes don't get you hyped.
 
IMHO, considering the line he was behind last year, and he played with an injury most of the season, I'd tend to grade him on a 'curve' and give him props for what he was able to do. Heck, he was met in the backfield on many plays. Plus the playcalling and schemes were total crap in my opinion. On top of all that, most teams decided to let the passing game beat them with an inexperienced rookie QB playing. I'll rate him next January and I think we all will be pleasantly surprised.
 
steelville said:
IMHO, considering the line he was behind last year, and he played with an injury most of the season, I'd tend to grade him on a 'curve' and give him props for what he was able to do. Heck, he was met in the backfield on many plays. Plus the playcalling and schemes were total crap in my opinion. On top of all that, most teams decided to let the passing game beat them with an inexperienced rookie QB playing. I'll rate him next January and I think we all will be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...
Nearly every running back who played behind a worse line had a higher yards per carry. Najee leaves a lot of yards on the table with his average vision and he makes up for some of the yards with his ability to break tackles. While the line is part of the reason for his low yards before contact, I think a combination of his vision and lack of burst factors in as well. Just too many other guys performing better behind poor offensive lines to always give Najee this excuse.
 
I'm definitely a Najee fan. We've had stacked defenses on our OL for a solid 3-4 years. It's hard for any back to make it happen when he has 2-3 guys on him in the backfield ad soon as he gets the ball. The run blocking has been atrocious up until recently.

I think he will have a monster year.
 
ADD IN the telegraph play calling and many opposing defensive players saying “this is the easiest offense to defend against”.

OC is NOT putting anyone in win positions.

Looking forward to this season for many reasons, Najee being one of them.


Salute the nation
 
Lisfuckingfranc
DUde is a trooper. Not missing a game with a lisfranc injury is insane.

The pick was not my favorite, but what he did to cement the win in Ben's last game, was the highlight of his career for me. Great guy, great player.
**** a ranking
 
I never liked the pick of Najee in the first round. We could and should have taken our next great center in Creed Humphrey and would be much better off now on the OL.
Jaylan Warren and perhaps Delvin Cook would have worked just fine for me.
Najee hits the hole too damn slow and has no burst. I like Warren better.
Sounds like it was another Tomlin move.
 
steelhurt said:
I never liked the pick of Najee in the first round. We could and should have taken our next great center in Creed Humphrey and would be much better off now on the OL.
Jaylan Warren and perhaps Delvin Cook would have worked just fine for me.
Najee hits the hole too damn slow and has no burst. I like Warren better.
Sounds like it was another Tomlin move.
Click to expand...
Bell was one of the slowest RBs in history to hit the hole and also did not have good speed, but he made it work. We also had a legit line and offense during that time. What do you think Bell in his prime would look like on this team? I would bet Bell would look worse than Najee. I understand the argument of not taking a RB in the first round, but I think Najee is a typical steeler back and seems to have high character. I think this will be the year to see whether Najee was a mistake or not.
 
Steelr4evr said:
I'm definitely a Najee fan. We've had stacked defenses on our OL for a solid 3-4 years. It's hard for any back to make it happen when he has 2-3 guys on him in the backfield ad soon as he gets the ball. The run blocking has been atrocious up until recently.

I think he will have a monster year.
Click to expand...
8 or 9 men in the box on just about every play. Najee had 2 or 3 guys in the backfield to greet him on almost every handoff for most of 2 years.
 
TDX27 said:
8 or 9 men in the box on just about every play. Najee had 2 or 3 guys in the backfield to greet him on almost every handoff for most of 2 years.
Click to expand...

I’ve said this earlier, no excuses this year. NOT one single player / coach / owner will have an excuse this year. I expect 2 + playoff wins and quite possibly more.

Players have what they need to do their job, Coach Tomlin has a complete team of his, GM’s did a fantastic job, owner lays down the law on more run oriented, O’Canada in his third year…….. the year of the “jump up” expectations…………..


Salute the nation
 
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