NFL Scouting Report: RB Najee Harris (Alabama)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: RB

Hometown: Antioch, CA

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

DOB: 3/9/1998 (23)

Height: 6’1″ * | Weight: 230 lbs *

Hands: 10” * | Arms: 33.38” *

Bench: N/A | 40 Time: N/A

*Senior Bowl measurements

Interesting Facts

Doubled 2019 RUSH TD output to 26 in 2020 (most in FBS)
Led FBS with 1,891 total yards from scrimmage in 2020
2020 SEC CG MVP, Doak Walker Award winner, unanimous All-American
5-star recruit, No. 3 overall in 2017 ESPN 300 (#1 RB)
Split carries with Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris in 2018

Physical Tools

Pros

Well-built 230-pound frame with thick lower half
Impressive agility and short-area quickness
Great contact balance and overall strength
Long arms (33.38″) and good hand size (10″)
Vertical ability to successfully hurdle defenders
5-star recruit, 11th overall in 2017 ESPN 300

Cons

Straight-line speed is somewhat lacking
Not overly explosive, typically maintains one gear
No Pro Day data (measurables, athletic testing)

Grade: A-

Game Film

Pros

Bruiser between the tackles that can bounce outside
Much shiftier than expected at his size
Keeps legs churning and grinds out tough yardage
Consistently fights for more than what’s blocked for him
Powerful, patient runner with very good field vision
Impressive cuts and balance for an upright runner
Outstanding catch radius and overall receiving ability
Strong pass-blocker that’ll throw his weight around

Cons

Elite OL regularly cleared out big rushing lanes
Doesn’t have an extra gear to break away on big runs
Runs a bit upright, lowering would help initiate contact

Grade: A

Production

Pros

2020 SEC CG MVP, Doak Walker Award winner, unanimous All-American
Doubled 2019 RUSH TD output to 26 in 2020 (most in FBS)
Led FBS with 1,891 total yards, 30 TDs from scrimmage
Outstanding PFF rushing (90), zone (90.4), and elusive (100.5) grades
69 forced missed tackles (2nd), 18 ATT of 20+ yards (7th)
Only 1 single drop on 53 targets in 2020
Fantastic receiving production (70 REC, 729 YDS, 11 TDs last 2 years)

Cons

Benefitted from a dominant OL (15th-best run-block grade)
Plenty of wear-and-tear (450 ATT since 2019)

Grade: A

Risk

Pros

Absolutely dominated the SEC once he became starter
Terrific blend of size, strength, athleticism
Exceptional hands, receiving ability from the backfield
Great combination of vision, power, balance, and elusiveness
Determined finisher in the red zone
Scheme-independent talent — effective in both zone and power
Considerably high-floor prospect, capable of managing a featured role
Prominent producer for a national Champion

Cons

Already 23 years old on Draft Day
Wear-and-tear: 530 total touches last 2 seasons
Consistently benefitted from top-tier OL
Lacks the extra gear to cut off pursuit angles

Grade: A-

Overall

Stuck in the middle of a 3-headed (future NFL) backfield with Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris finally got the bulk of carries to himself in 2019 and did not disappoint. Ripping off 20 total TDs, he easily broke the 1,000-yard mark on the ground while hauling in 27 passes for 304 yards. He surprisingly opted to stay in Tuscaloosa for his senior season, during which he ran rampant over the SEC with nearly 1,900 total yards and 30 TDs.

While obviously incredibly productive, Harris was assisted by not only one of the most prolific passing attacks in CFB history, but also the only OL to ever win consecutive Joe Moore Awards (best OL). Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith threatened defenses over top, which typically cleared out the box for the “big uglies” up front to dominate the rushing game. He consistently created more yardage than was blocked for him, however, and also developed into a sure-handed (10″, 33″) target out of the backfield.

An under-appreciated athlete, Harris not only packs a ton of power in that 230-pound frame, but also has mastered the hurdle in addition to impeccable balance. Though lacking a breakaway gear like Travis Etienne, Harris’ floor is considerably higher given his outstanding frame, reliability between-the-tackles, and pass-blocking ability. More of a steady, consistent-gainer than a HR hitter, Najee is a beast in the red zone and should fit seamlessly within a variety of schemes.

Pro Comp: RB Mark Ingram (Free Agent)

Projected Round: Late-1st Round

Prime Destinations: MIA, PIT, BUF, JAX, NYJ, ATL

OVERALL Grade: A-