NFL Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 32 prospects in 2021
By Adam Patrick
NFL Draft 2021 Pro Comparisons: Najee Harris → Matt Forte
Najee Harris might not be the top-rated running back prospect this year, but there’s a good chance that he could end up having the best career of any running back that gets selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Harris remained at Alabama for all four years of his eligibility and during each season, his production reached incredible new heights. He had a spectacular junior campaign in 2019, but then he came out in 2020 and scored a total of 30 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,466 yards.
Finding the end zone 30 times by a player from the FBS level is going to be impressive no matter what. But the fact that Harris was able to accomplish this while playing for a school in the toughest conference in the nation makes it that much more impressive of a feat.
Why he compares to Matt Forte:
During his NFL career with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, Matt Forte was the complete package. In five of his first seven seasons in the league, Forte rushed for at least 1,000 yards and caught 50 passes or more.
In his last two years at Alabama, Harris really established himself as more of a dual-threat in the backfield. As a junior in 2019, he finished with 27 receptions, and then last season, he ended his final year in college football with 43 catches.
Harris is one of the prospects from this year’s draft pool who can make an immediate impact wherever he ends up. He definitely has the potential to be next season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.