Chargers Eyeing Explosive Complement To Najee Harris In 2025 NFL Draft
According to Los Angeles Chargers reporter Daniel Popper of the Athletic, the team is likely to target a running back in April's 2025 NFL Draft. "The Chargers will be adding an explosive player to this group in the draft to complement Harris, Popper wrote." Perhaps as early as the 22nd pick in the first round." Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal to join Justin Herbert's offense during the first week of free agency, but the depth chart behind him consisting of Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins leaves a lot to be desired. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded at the running back spot, and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson could fit what L.A. is looking for. While Harris would have immense upside in the Chargers' offense in a workhorse role, he could be related to early-down work depending on if L.A. pulls the trigger on a ball carrier on Day 1 or Day 2. Harris has missed just one game in his NFL career and has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, but his contract value and lack of explosive play-making signals he could be at risk of falling into a committee-back role.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Harris, who had four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Pittsburgh in his first four years in the NFL after being the 24th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama, will now head to the AFC West. J.K. Dobbins, the Chargers leading rusher last year, is an unrestricted free agent, so there's a very good chance Harris will be the Bolts' unquestioned lead back in 2025, depending on what the team does in the draft. Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are the only other current RBs on the roster at the position. The 27-year-old lost valuable pass-catching work to Jaylen Warren the last two years, so if the Chargers use him as more of a three-down back, his fantasy stock will rise with the move out West.
Chargers Pursuing Najee Harris, Hoping To Sign Him
The Los Angeles Chargers are pursuing Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent running back Najee Harris and are hoping to close a deal with him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. A deal hasn't been completed yet, but it could if everything goes well. It would be a big addition to L.A.'s backfield, especially since J.K. Dobbins, the team's leading rusher a year ago, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are the only other RBs on the Bolts' roster currently, so if Harris were to sign with the Chargers and Dobbins goes elsewhere, he'd be the unquestioned lead back going into 2025. The former 24th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama has left fantasy managers wanting more in his four NFL seasons despite rushing for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. Jaylen Warren has been a thorn in Harris' side the last two years, but a move to L.A. could give Harris more of a bell-cow role.
Sources told Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh at the NFL Combine last week that the Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to re-sign Najee Harris because they will be unwilling to match the $8-10 million per year he's expected to get on the open market. Harris is expected to have a strong market in what is a weak RB class in free agency, and the Las Vegas Raiders could be his biggest suitor. Meanwhile, fellow RB Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent, but the team has already said they will tender him an offer and there is a desire within the organization to start contract talks with Warren this summer on a long-term extension. Harris, 26, has started all 68 games for the Steelers in his first four seasons in the NFL and has also exceeded 1,000 yards rushing all four years. A move to a team like Vegas with questions at QB could make Harris even less attractive as an RB2 in fantasy, while Warren's stock will improve if Harris leaves.
Steelers Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Najee Harris
ESPN's Brooke Pryor writes that it would be cost prohibitive for the Pittsburgh Steelers to use the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Najee Harris this year after they declined his fifth-year option a year ago. Additionally, neither quarterbacks Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is worth the hefty price that would come with a franchise tag for a QB. However, Pittsburgh could consider using the transition tag on Wilson or Fields that would give them the ability to match another team's offer. RB Jaylen Warren will also be a restricted free agent, so the Steelers RB room could look quite different in 2025. Harris has over 1,000 yards rushing in all four of his NFL seasons and has started all 68 games, but he's lacked explosiveness by averaging 3.9 yards per carry on his 1,097 rushing attempts. Still, the Steelers could very well re-sign him, especially if they let Warren walk.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, there's a strong chance that the Pittsburgh Steelers will re-sign impending free-agent running back Najee Harris this offseason. In addition to Harris being a free agent, RB Jaylen Warren will be a restricted free agent. Harris, a former first-round pick, didn't have his fifth-year option picked up, which many believed was a sign the Steelers would move on when he was eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. Dulac doesn't think Pittsburgh will give Harris a hometown discount, but there's something to be said for the fact that he had four 1,000-yard season with 28 total touchdowns in his four years with the team. He dealt with minor injuries but managed to start all 68 games in his four seasons as well. The 26-year-old is expected to make $9.166 million per year on his next deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will both be free agents in March, and Cordarrelle Patterson has one year left on his two-year deal. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac expects only one of those three RBs to return in 2025. Harris' return could be in jeopardy despite the fact that he's just one of 14 players in NFL history to start their career with four straight 1,000-yard seasons. The writing was on the wall when the team didn't pick up his fifth-year option last spring, and bringing him back on the franchise tag would cost $13.6 million. Dulac suggests the Steelers would prefer to look for a replacement in the NFL draft, which should have a deep class at the position. Warren is a restricted free agent, so he has a greater chance to return. While Harris did have 1,000 yards rushing in 2024, it was the second straight season he went without a TD reception.
Najee Harris Efficient As Receiver In Loss To Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris handled six carries for 17 yards and came down with all three of his targets for 41 receiving yards in a Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers had very little success on the ground throughout the contest and were forced to lean on the passing game after trailing 21-0 at halftime. Harris contributed in the third quarter as he turned short completions into nine, 21, and 11-yard gains. Although his play this season was not necessarily consistent for fantasy purposes, Harris turned in a fourth-straight campaign with at least 1,000 rushing yards. Because Pittsburgh declined to pick up his fifth-year option in 2024, the 26-year-old will search for a new deal and potentially a new home this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris averaged 52.5 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards in his two meetings with the Baltimore Ravens this season. He will hope to be more effective against his division rival in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. The Ravens have been stout against the run all year, surrendering the fewest yards per carry in the league. Additionally, Baltimore is heavily favored at home, so Pittsburgh may be forced to rely on Russell Wilson and the passing game to keep up. Harris has contributed as a receiver throughout his career but will likely cede some opportunities through the air to teammate Jaylen Warren. Fantasy gamers should view Harris as a volume-based RB2 in playoff leagues or DFS contests this weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris handled 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown while adding four receptions for 20 yards in a 19-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Harris briefly exited the contest in the second half to be evaluated for a head injury but was cleared to return. Pittsburgh's offense could not lean on Harris and the ground game on Saturday night while struggling to sustain drives. Still, the 26-year-old salvaged his fantasy performance with some opportunities in the passing game and a one-yard rushing score in the second quarter. It was a successful regular season for Harris, who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for a fourth consecutive campaign. Although his opponent is yet to be determined, Harris should offer a solid floor for fantasy managers in playoff leagues or DFS contests next weekend.
Najee Harris
• RB
•
Chargers
