Photo via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Najee Harris got off to a bumpy start in 2022, averaging 7.9 Points per Game thru Week 8. Luckily, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a Week 9 Bye, and after that break, Najee returned to form averaging 13.2 Points per Game to close out the last 9 games of the 2022 season and end as RB12.
Harris remains a workhorse back in the modern NFL, ranking 5th in Rushing Attempts in 2022 with 272, and 2nd in Attempts in 2021 with 307, and that is not expected to change in 2023. He's also adding an average of 74 targets per year out of the backfield as well, so there's plenty of opportunity.
The Pittsburgh Steelers retooled that spotty Offensive Line in the offseason bringing in Isaac Seumalo from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Broderick Jones in the 1st Round in the 2023 NFL Draft, as two new projected starters.
This will benefit Najee Harris and he should see better run-blocking, leading to more space and even better efficiency, after averaging 3.8 yards per carry in 2022 and 3.9 yards per carry in 2021.
In addition, Kenny Pickett appears to be settling in during the start of his 2nd Season in the NFL, building what appears to be a solid connection with George Pickens in practice and Preseason. Some of those Practice highlights did a get a little handsy and would probably be called offensive PI, but the 2nd year players are taking steps in the right direction, which would take some of the Defensive focus off of Najee Harris.
Fantasy Impact Harris averaged 1,460 Total yards, and 10 Touchdowns per year over his first 2 years in the NFL and hasn't missed a full game. I feel Najee still has a level above this, and 2023 could be the Breakout year for him. If he can pick up where he left off in the 2nd half of 2022, Najee Harris will be pushing for a Top 6 RB performance. As of 8/18 he's going ADP 26, RB10 and you can snag him in the 3rd Round, which I think is a tremendously safe pick, on top of having great upside. Feel confident smashing that DRAFT button on Najee Harris this year! How do you feel about Najee Harris in 2023, and that Pittsburgh Steelers Offense? Comment below! Update 8/25 - Here's a clip of LG Isaac Seumalo #73 opening up a huge hole for Najee Harris against the Falcons on 8/24. Just as predicted! https://twitter.com/TriggeredWise/status/1694876924063944786?s=20
If you can get him in the 3rd round that's a steal. I think he'll likely go in most drafts in the 2nd round....would be a solid RB to stack with one of the top 5 WR. After him, the RB's start to fall off quickly