NFL Network’s Charles Davis Projects Steelers to Draft Najee Harris, Pass on Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

NFL Network’s Charles Davis has released his latest mock draft, and the analyst has the Pittsburgh Steelers passing on a dynamic defender to select a running back.

Davis projects the Steelers to draft Alabama running back Najee Harris at No. 24 overall with Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah still on the board.

“Feels like a Steelers pick straight out of central casting to me, as I see plenty of Franco Harris in Najee’s game,” Davis writes. “But there will be heavy discussion about adding OL help in this spot, too.”

While Harris has certainly been the most popular player mocked to the Steelers through the draft process, they would absolutely have a difficult time choosing him over the versatile Owusu-Koramoah.

More of a hybrid between a safety and linebacker, Owusu-Koramoah is the prototype defender in space for the modern NFL. Not only does he have the size and speed to be a tackling machine, but he also possesses the agility to be a weapon in coverage. Not only could he worm a fearsome linebacker due of the future alongside Devin Bush, but Owusu-Koramoah could also fill in immediate needs by lining up in the slot.

A two-year starter for the Irish, Owusu-Koramoah totaled 142 tackles, 24.5 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks five forced fumbles and an interception over his career. Not only did he win ACC Player of the Year, but Owusu-Koramoah also named a unanimous All-American.

This is not to say that the Steelers do not have serious issues in their run game and a glaring need at running back. Harris would address both. But Owusu-Koramoah may be too good too pass up, and if the Steelers find him still available when they pick at No. 24, they will have a hard time explaining why they did not select him.