Najee Harris 2021 NFL Draft fits: 5 Best landing spots
By Tadhg Flynn
Najee Harris is considered by many to be the top running back in the 2021 Draft. What teams would be the best fit for his considerable talent?
The 2021 NFL Draft will see multiple starters from Alabama Crimson Tide college football program drafted. Among those guaranteed to be selected at some point is running back Najee Harris. Harris is the No. 1 running back prospect of the 2021 class in the eyes of many pundits and evaluators. It is not hard to see why.
Standing at 6-2 and 230 pounds, Harris is a formidable physical presence on the field. He is full of power and pace, with the ability to shrug off larger players at ease. Not only is he talented rushing through exposed defensive gaps, but he is also a dual-threat with soft hands and ability to be involved in receiving plays.
Though the 2020 college season (which was shortened), he had NFL production level numbers with Alabama, attempting 251 running plays and receiving 43 pass plays with 26 touchdowns.
A player of this caliber is one any team will want to have come September 2021. However, with draft valuation of running backs, it’s possible many teams will overlook Harris and he could fall out of the top 15 selections. The number of potential franchises is wide open.
Having said that, these five teams that would be the best landing spots for Harris in the 2021 NFL Draft.
5. Arizona Cardinals – No. 16 pick in 2021 NFL Draft
The Arizona Cardinals are building a very competitive NFL roster. Kyler Murray is top-10 quarterback in the league and will be for many years to come. His ability to launch deep throws and accurate passes to short routes, as well as his ability to move outside of the pocket, makes him a pretty complete modern NFL quarterback.
They have improved their wide receiver group and defensive units. A.J. Green has been brought in on a one-year deal from the Bengals. Their biggest move of free agency was definitely their two-year, $28 million deal for J.J. Watt. With the 10-year league veteran and three-time DPOY lining up with Chandler Jones on the opposite side of their defensive line applying pressure, the Cardinals have the chance to keep their offence on the field for the majority of their games.
What better way to complement their new smothering edge defence than to bring in a top class running back from the 2021 NFL Draft to run the clock out on their opponents?
Defensive lines and edge rushers will spend prep sessions shaking at the prospect of facing a one-two punch of Murray handing off to the fleet-footed and powerful Harris, or taking and running it himself. Draft night will show whether the Cardinals will pursue this potential avenue.