Alabama Football: Najee Harris’s NFL Draft ceiling and floor
By Dakota Cox
What should we expect from Alabama football’s Najee Harris?
The running back position is one of the most controversial when it comes to the NFL Draft. While we’ve seen many go in the top 10, some teams believe you shouldn’t draft one in the first round. This makes it hard to predict where Alabama football‘s Najee Harris will go in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Harris has almost every trait you could ask for. He thrives between the tackles, and he can beat defenders in space. He can block well, and his receiving skills are superb. This boosts his stock, but he could still slide simply because of his position.
So, let’s take a look at Najee Harris’s ceiling and floor in the 2021 NFL Draft. While draft position won’t be the only thing that determines his NFL success, landing spot matters. With that in mind, here is the highest he could go.
Ceiling: 16th overall, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals might not want to draft a running back this early, but they desperately need a starter at the position. They lost Alabama football’s Kenyan Drake in free agency, and their offense is ready to explode if they can get production from someone.
The scheme fit isn’t perfect, but Harris would tire defenses and make it easier for Kyler Murray to scramble late in games. He is also a great red-zone weapon, which matters when elite defensive linemen are all over your division.
Still, the Cardinals also need a lineman and a corner. They might take Harris, but they will likely settle for a back in the second or third round.
Floor: 41st overall, Denver Broncos
Alabama football fans would be shocked if Harris were to slip out of the first round, but stranger things have happened. Despite the depth of last year’s class, only one back went in the first round.
Thankfully for Harris, almost every team drafting early in the second round needs a running back. If he slips, he could be taken by the Jaguars, Jets, Falcons or Dolphins. If, for some strange reason, all of those teams pass, the Broncos couldn’t say no to the value at 41st overall.
Next. 7 Tide players in NFL Mock Draft. dark
Najee Harris might become the best running back in the NFL. Drafting the Alabama football star this late would be a steal. His sweet spot is late in the first round, but there is no way he will fall beyond pick 41.