Najee Harris has recorded at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL.
The Chargers are officially in offseason mode. That means all eyes are on the upcoming free agent period and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite winning 11 games this season, there are plenty of positions that need an upgrade. One position that Pro Football Focus specifically believes needs to be updated — and can feasibly be upgraded — during this year’s free agency period is running back.
Now I’ve been on record saying that I believe J.K. Dobbins is a starting back in this league and I would love to continue having him on the Chargers, but if the team does decide to move on, PFF believes the Bolts should go after Steelers running back Najee Harris.
Harris is currently the No. 48 free agent in PFF’s Top 100 and the No. 2 running back. He’s coming off another 1,000-yard season for a Steelers team that made the postseason once again.
“Even though the Chargers ran more than threw in the 2024 regular season, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s game plan wasn’t extremely effective,” says analyst Bradley Locker. “Los Angeles placed only 20th in rushing EPA per play and 25th in rushing success rate. On top of that, J.K. Dobbins is a free agent.”
“The Chargers could use an upgrade at the running back position, and Harris would be a strong one. Harris has eclipsed a 75.2 PFF rushing grade in each of the past three seasons, and he’s forced 53 or more tackles in all of his four pro seasons. Additionally, the 26-year-old ranked 14th among qualifiers on zone runs this year, which aligns well with Roman’s zone-based scheme.”
Since entering the NFL in 2021, Harris has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in every season. He’s been remarkably consistent, in fact. After notching a career-high 1,200 yards as a rookie, Harris has finished with 1,034, 1,035, and 1,043 yards over the previous three seasons, respectively. While not the picture of a third-down back, Harris can also provide value as a pass catcher with 1,149 receiving yards and six scores to his name.
Harris is not the flashiest of backs but he’s a sizable one at 6’1 and 230+pounds. He’s averaged at least four yards per carry the past two seasons with 14 total touchdowns on the ground.
The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has been a big detriment to that offense in recent years and it’s no wonder the running game hasn’t been all that successful when there’s no threat outside of it. Justin Herbert would help that, but the Chargers would also have to put in the necessary resources to overhaul the interior of their offensive line this offseason or it won’t matter who is trying to run the ball back there. If the team wants to ground-and-pound with a big back like Harris, the middle of the line has to be a bunch of tail-kickers.
Can Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh make it happen this offseason? Only time will tell, of course.
So what do you all think of this potential signing? Yay or nay? Is Harris washed? Would he be better in a different situation outside of Pittsburgh? Let me know all of your thoughts in the comments below!