The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold, and strong, statement in the 2021 NFL Draft by selecting Alabama RB Najee Harris in the first round. With the 24th pick the Steelers took Harris without thinking about other prospects who might have been available when it was their turn to select, but this doesn’t seem to bother Mike Tomlin or Kevin Colbert.
Without looking ahead, the Steelers did something they’ve needed to do since Le’Veon Bell left the team in free agency. What they needed to do was none other than select a premiere running back. With Harris’ skill set on the roster, it immediately gives a boost to the Steelers’ dreadful 2020 running game. A running game which ranked dead last in both yards per game and yards per attempt. Even without addressing the offensive line, which they will likely do on Day 2 of the draft, the Steelers’ running game should be improved in 2021.
Harris was the first running back taken in the first round since the Steelers selected Rashard Mendenhall out of Illinois in the 2008 NFL Draft.
With that said, be sure to check out all of our coverage on the Alabama running back here in this stream, and be sure to check back so you don’t miss a thing on all of our draft coverage as the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to press on throughout Days 2 and 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.