ESPN Mocks Alabama RB Najee Harris to Steelers

Alabama running back Najee Harris is busy preparing to face Ohio State on Monday in the College Football Playoff Championship Game, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are readying to host the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

But Harris and the Steelers keep getting linked together, as star Pittsburgh running back James Conner is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and has acknowledged that each of his remaining games in Pittsburgh could be his last.

Harris, meanwhile, has been projected by many draft experts to be available in the later half of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, where Pittsburgh will be picking. In the first mock draft from ESPN analyst Todd McShay released last week, he has the Steelers picking Harris at No. 28 overall.

The Steelers do have other options behind Conner, with Benny Snell performing well when called upon this season and rookie Anthony McFarland Jr. has showed promise. But neither has the all-around skill-set that Conner or Harris brings to the table.

“Speed, power, pass-catching and pass-protection ability, Harris brings it all,” McShay wrote.

McShay also mentioned that quarterback and offensive line are needs for the Steelers, and specifically suggested Ohio State tackle Wyatt Davis and Tennessee’s Trey Smith as other options.