1. Najee Harris, Alabama
Size: 6-1, 232
The Good: The superstar of superstar running back recruits, he was okay through the first part of his career, but then when he was needed as a junior – especially after Tua Tagovailoa got hurt – a light turned on and he took his game up to a whole other level.
From the Auburn game late in 2019 on, he became an all-around machine as both a receiver and a runner, scoring 50 touchdowns over his last two season.
You want the big power game? He can do that. You want a third down receiver? He can do that. You want 4.45 speed in a 6-1, 232-pound guy? He can do that.
You want a workhorse who can handle the ball 36 times for 245 yards and five touchdowns of all-purpose production in an SEC Championship win over Florida, he can do that, too.
There’s no questioning his drive, his character, and now after the last 15 games, his football talent. In this draft, he’s it. He’s the No. 1 running back who changes your offense and becomes the guy to work everything around.
Will @ohthatsNajee22 be RB No. 1 in the #NFLDraft? 🤔@AlabamaFTBL | @movethesticks
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The Not-So-Good: It’s partly because of his size and partly because of his style, but he’s going to get hit a whole lot. It was big for his draft status to have the 2020 that he did, but that upped his workload a ton – he finished his career with over 700 touches.
For all of his speed and athleticism, there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle. He’ll read the blocks just fine, but he’s not going to make a whole lot of things happen at the next level without resorting to sheer power – and then he’ll take more shots.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: I always get honked at for this but …
He was the best player on the epic 2020 Alabama team.
For all of the love given to the parts in the passing game, and with all of the stars across the board, Harris was the steady glue to it all. He grew into an ultra-reliable receiver and an automatic touchdown when he got his shot at the end zone.
Here’s your next great Alabama NFL running back – someone will get a draft-maker by taking him after the first 22 picks – the Colts won’t go with him at 21 and the Titans with the 22 already have a pretty good Bama back.
Projected Round: Second
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