After spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, running back Najee Harris could leave as a free agent. A first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Alabama product immediately took over starting duties and finished his rookie season with an impressive 1,200 rushing yards and 467 receiving yards while making the Pro Bowl. While he has yet to return to the Pro Bowl, the physical running back has recorded at least 1,000 rushing yards every year since entering the league.
Najee Harris may not have matched his pre-draft hype at the NFL level, but the impending free agent is a starting-caliber back who should generate interest across the league. Blessed with the physical build to handle a high workload and the strength to shed tackles, Harris is a solid early-down back who lacks the explosiveness to be an elite runner. Seeing as Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option, he will probably leave for one of the following five teams.
5 Teams That Could Sign Impending Free Agent Najee Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
After inheriting a flawed roster with minimal spending money, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh finally has money to burn. Harbaugh has always been one of the most run-heavy coaches in the NFL and college game, and that remained the case in 2024. While the team made the playoffs with his run-heavy philosophy, he didn’t have a running back capable of being a true workhorse. Najee Harris and his 242-pound frame were made for an old-school offense, and Harbaugh should be able to get the most out of the free agent.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos will likely move on from running back Javonte Williams, as the former second-round pick never truly recovered from his 2022 knee injury. This leaves a gaping hole in Sean Payton’s backfield, and Najee Harris could be the perfect free agent to fill the void. During his time with the Saints, Payton preferred to have a physical, old-school type of running back complemented by a shifty pass-catcher. Harris could easily fill the former role, and the team could invest a mid-round pick into the loaded running back draft class to find an adequate pass-catcher.
Kansas City Chiefs
With several key free agents set to reach the open market, the Chiefs must find all the cost-effective starters they can get. Incumbent starter Isiah Pacheco and Harris have similar playing styles, and both players will be unrestricted free agents at the start of the league year. Kansas City could sign the cheaper player. That might be Najee Harris, as the impending free agent doesn’t carry the same fanfare as Pacheco.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are among the few teams left in the league that prefers to use a workhorse back. Whether it’s Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, or even the unheralded Rico Dowdle, Jerry Jones seemingly prefers having one player lead the backfield. With Dowdle set to test the market himself, Najee Harris could take over. The veteran has a larger build, runs with more strength, and is ultimately an upgrade at a position Jones has never shied from investing in.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have one of the league’s most dangerous running backs in veteran Alvin Kamara. While he signed an extension last year, that shouldn’t stop the team from getting more help. Kamara is at his best in a two-backfield committee, as evidenced by his elite play when splitting snaps with Mark Ingram all those years ago. However, the Saints haven’t had an adequate partner since Ingram departed, as third-round pick Kendre Miller cannot stay on the field. Najee Harris can handle a large workload, and having him take some early-down carries should help Kamara stay healthy and explosive throughout the season.
Main Photo: Sam Greene – Imagn Images
The post Top 5 Team Fits For 1,200-Yard Playmaker, Ranked appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.