There hasn't been a player more linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers than Najee Harris in the 2021 NFL draft. Could the Steelers really pull the trigger on a first-round running back? Many prominent analysts feel the Steelers and Harris were meant to be together, but the only two roadblocks standing in the way are the Jets and Dolphins, and of course, if the Steelers feel he is a first-round draft pick...
Ed Bouchette of the Athletic recently released his one and only Steelers 2021 mock draft and he feels the Steelers could trade down in the 2021 NFL draft. In the first round, Bouchette says the Steelers trade their 24th pick for the Packer's 29th pick and the Steelers get an extra third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. When the Steelers get on the clock Bouchette has the Steelers selecting Alabama's Najee Harris with the 29th pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Bouchette feels Najee Harris will give the Steeler's running game the biggest boost even more than an offensive lineman at this position in the draft. He says Harris is big, strong, has good feet, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Bouchette said he reminds him of another Harris the Steelers drafted 49 years ago. He feels it is acceptable to take Harris this late in the first round because a top running back won't be available for the Steelers by the time they draft in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. That means Bouchette thinks Etienne, Harris, and Williams will not make it to the Steeler's next selection after the first round.
If Harris is selected before the Steelers pick Bouchette would go with Travis Etienne or Javonte Williams. That is exactly why Bouchette feels it would be safe to trade down in the 2021 NFL draft. With that being said it sounds like the majority of the Steelers beat writers feel the Steelers will draft Najee Harris in the first round if he is available. There is no guarantee Najee Harris could be there by the time the Steelers pick and many teams already know how much the Steelers value Harris so he could potentially be drafted before the Steelers pick. I hope the Steelers end up drafting Harris, but if he is not there it is not the end of the world. Etienne and Williams can come into Pittsburgh and play at an elite level too.