Three reasons Najee Harris will have best season yet

Before you add Steelers RB Najee Harris to the league's growing list of failed first-round running backs, here are three reasons he will have his best season yet in 2023.

Improved O-line

Pittsburgh greatly improved its offensive line this offseason with the additions of rookie left tackle Broderick Jones, a first-round pick, and veteran guard Isaac Seumalo. Jones, a massive 6-foot-5, 311-pound left tackle out of Georgia, will likely replace Dan Moore Jr., who allowed seven sacks in 2022. Seumalo, who allowed just one sack last season, will take over for Kevin Dotson, who allowed four sacks.

The Steelers offensive line may not be complete yet but there is a strong argument to be made that Harris now has the most talented front five he's had since entering the league. It should pay dividends in the run game.

Health

Harris battled through a toe/foot injury last season but has still quietly put together two solid seasons with Pittsburgh to start his NFL career, rushing for 1,200 and 1,034 yards. However, those numbers are more a product of workload than productivity, as he has yet to reach four or more yards per carry. 

The 25-year-old's hard-nosed running style certainly makes him more prone to injuries than those who avoid contact. But if Harris can put together a season where he's fully healthy, we should see his best version yet.

Something to prove

It's no secret that running backs have never been valued less following the releases of Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott paired with Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard not receiving contract extensions. Harris is among the many who have something to prove in 2023 and he knows it.

"I agree with my running back brothers around the NFL- history will show that you need running backs to win- we set the tone every game and run through walls for our team and lead in many ways- this notion that we deserve less is a joke," Harris tweeted.

The approach of not investing a lot of money into running backs seems to be sweeping the league. If Harris hopes to change the narrative of the position, he must prove his worth in year three.