2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles target DeVonta Smith, Bears settle on Mac Jones
By Randy Gurzi
RB. Alabama. 18. player. Najee Harris. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
A running back this early? Typically, taking a running back in the first round is never a great idea but there can be some exceptions. In this situation, it works for a couple of reasons. One, the Miami Dolphins already had a first-round pick, which they used in this mock draft to shore up the offensive line. Two, the running back has to be a transcendent star.
That’s the case with Najee Haris, who was on an absolute tear in 2020 for Alabama. After returning for his senior season, Harris went off and recorded 1,46 yards and an insane 26 touchdowns. He also showed a lot of growth as a receiver, pulling in 43 catches for 425 yards and four more touchdowns.
Now, he rejoins his old collegiate quarterback but can also take a lot of the stress off of Tua. As a rookie, Tua struggled to adjust to the speed of the NFL game but he also didn’t have a lot of talent around him. Thanks to this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, he now has an offensive line that can compete with any in the league and a running back capable of carrying the load by himself.
Another reason using this pick on Harris makes sense is that the Dolphins will be able to exercise a fifth-year on his contract. There’s never any reason to extend a running back — none that get big deals have led their teams to a Super Bowl and most get cut after a couple of seasons. However, adding Harris here means they can lean on him for five seasons before letting someone else overpay him for what he did in Miami.