As we kickoff bowl season and the College Football Playoff, NFL Draft experts are finalizing their boards for the first of multiple mock drafts after the season ends.
According to Pro Football Focus, a website that dives into the analytics of college and pro football, Najee Harris ranks at No. 3 among running back for the 2021 NFL Draft.
He sits behind Javonte Williams (North Carolina) and Travis Etienne (Clemson), despite Harris leading the NCAA for rushing touchdowns (24).
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder totaled back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, as he recorded 1,262 yards on 214 carries. After posting 1,224 yards rushing in 2019, Harris showed improved speed, pass-blocking skills and fine-tuned his abilities at receiver. He caught 32 passes for 316 yards with three scores.
2021 NFL Draft RB Rankings
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson
2. Javonte Williams, UNC
3. Najee Harris, Bama
4. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
5. Khalil Herbert, VA Tech pic.twitter.com/4mRMp8Wvr9— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 26, 2020
Harris turned in five 100-yard rushing performances and nine 100-yard games from scrimmage.
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He dominated the Southeastern Conference Championship Game — tallying 178 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and five touchdowns to win the Most Valuable Player award. In terms of his career, Harris is Alabama’s all-time leader for rushing yards (3,639) and touchdowns (44).
He also has the most scores responsible for by a running back (54) and finished fifth as a Heisman finalist. Of the teams drafting in the top-10 next April, no one needs a back yet there are some teams that can use one.
Per yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Harris is a first-round draft value.
Suitors such as the Miami Dolphins or Seattle Seahawks could benefit from getting Harris.
For now, he is focused on ending his career with a CFP National Championship. He and the Crimson Tide will face Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) on Jan. 1, 2021.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
