Najee Harris Hits The Ground Running

[Steeler Nation]

It’s official – Pittsburgh Steelers’ first round draft pick Najee Harris arrived in the Steel City over the weekend. And, as part of the traditional tour of the town, we got a glimpse into his character when he made a point to stop by Convoy of Hope’s distribution at Heinz Field.

#Steelers first round pick Najee Harris wasting NO TIME doing exactly what he said he would do: volunteering in his new city, and working w/ his teammates. https://t.co/VQNlfAf1W7

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) May 5, 2021

Harris, who could have been content to walk the bridges, see the statues, and eat a Primanti Bros. sandwich, made good on his word from the night he was drafted: “In Pittsburgh, you know…what are ways I can help in the community? Having food banks, you know, just doing stuff in the area where I can just help out people off the field.”

I asked Najee Harris why the city Pittsburgh is going to love him OFF the field

(trust me Steelers fans, you're gonna want to hear his answer.) #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Sg3thCVP1N

— Jenna Harner (@JennaHarner11) April 30, 2021

He enticed the Steelers’ brass with his play at Alabama, but he endeared himself to the entire fanbase with his immediate commitment to the betterment of the city. After all, nothing makes us fall harder or faster for a player than when they take to Pittsburgh the way he has in a matter of days. He’s already giving back to a city that’s given him nothing but a new zip code to call home, and it provides promise that while he may be a whole lot of fun to watch on the field, what he does off of it will be even better.

#SteelerNation

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[mightyguru]

Wasting no time capturing Pittsburgh's heart.

Total ******* Class.

 

[slashsteel]

Yeah when I heard about him donating all his clothes before he jumped off to Alabama, the draft party in a homeless shelter, etc. I knew this kid had/has a great heart. Stuff like this quickly makes me root for the kid to succeed. Just like I will continue to do with Conner. (Just not against us.) I think you will get his best on the field and with his talent level that will be an attractive watch.

 

[Omar10213245]

Loving this kid already!

 

[FSF]

Harris is exactly what the Steelers offense has lacked since Le'Veon Bell. Both sides lost in that exchange. But Harris is the kind of player that can accelerate quickly - he may decelerate in the open field on longer runs, but his best speed is out of the gate. He's got the size to break tackles and the footwork to make guys miss tackles. The Steelers can be in a 3rd and 2, and he can get 2.5 - 5 yards with defenses geared to stop him. Not always huge plays, but will keep the sticks moving. Harris is worth 3-5 wins this year alone.

There was a time a RB of his caliber had zero chance of lasting to #24. They would be easily taken in top 10 - top 15 at latest.

The Steelers got by far the top player at his position in the draft at #24 - and while that can often happen with a Guard, Center, Tight End and maybe an ILB, no position can impact a team faster as a Rookie than RB. That is something that has not changed in over 50 years of the draft. The only difference is that after 5 years, their value tends to go down.

For anyone complaining about the Offensive Line, there will be a lot of changes made from last year with a different scheme AND a blocking TE as an extension of the OL. I am not as down on Big Al as most are, but the reality is that their core got old over the last few years and now will feature a lot more speed and agility (though mistakes should be expected) And to sleep on them just because the high draft pick pedigree isn't there would be foolish. They will have a veteran anchor in DeCastro and Dotson showed a lot of potential in limited time. Don't just think Banner isn't any good because he was an UDFA - so were Big Al, Ramon Foster and Darnell Stapleton. Green will push two guys for the Center role and probably will be ready by midseason, Chuks will be pushed by a number of players brought in and he's got a year under his belt plus an offseason to really prepare now that his made it through a season.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Don't just think Banner isn't any good because he was an UDFA - so were Big Al, Ramon Foster and Darnell Stapleton.

I get the point you were making here, but Banner was a 4th-round pick.

 

[Drink IRON City]

EXCELLENT article JORDAN and thanks for the work to create it.!!

WoW how kewl is that when he says take me to a place I can help intead of what can you do for me. I can only root for this guy in everyway possible.



Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

I get the point you were making here, but Banner was a 4th-round pick.

He is also coming off a big injury as well. I'm glad we picked the Moore kid as well as the Green kid. Heavy competition in TC and I wouldn't automaticaly give Chuks the starting job as I got a feeing we drafted our starting LT. Time will tell and I hope the truly better man gets the start.



Salute the nation