If the Steelers move on from Najee Harris this guy plays like a Pittsburgh Steelers

Give me Tahj Brooks out of texas tech.

 

I'm going to break from my original thoughts and put it out there that I think Treyveon Henderson might actually be the correct decision in round 2. He's a similar skillset to Warren, but is more physically gifted. They would be one hell of a tandem, and the opposition would never be able to get a breather like they do when 22 enters the game. I'd pass on Jeanty and Judkins in round 1 if I knew for sure that I would get Henderson in round 2.

 

Reminds me a lot of Toby Gerhart out of Stanford in the late 2000's. I like his style and his heart, but I am not sure how it will translate to Sundays. He played one hell of a playoff game vs. Texas though!

 

I heard there are 35 running backs that could be drafted this year. DL, WR, and CB better be their first 3 picks. If they draft a RB in the first 2 rounds, they will be wasting draft capital.

 

Its only a waste if the RB turns out to be not very good. I think WR is probably the #1 priority (though, I would probably prefer we sign or trade for one rather than draft). If we do, we could go DL or CB in the first, RB in the second, and then DL or CB in the third. Of course we could always spend at CB or DL and draft a WR in the first... but whatever.

If we draft a RB in the second and he turns out to be a high end back, it will certainly not be a waste of capital. This team really needs to upgrade that position, and if we take someone that ends up being a difference maker, then that is a good use of capital. Simple as that.

 

In hindsight Najee Harris was not the best selection the year he was drafted. Why make that mistake again, when there will be value in the 4th round? If one of the stud running backs, say Judkins, falls all the way to the Steelers 2nd round pick, of course they should consider it, but if there is a d-line, WR, or CB with equal value, the Steelers need to go that direction.

 

Yeah, I think a RB in the first is almost a bait. These guys have really short careers, and unless you're getting a guy that is a 21 year old rookie... you're probably looking at a guy that will be a prime player for 4-5 years and then maybe can last another couple years in the league. Najee was a 23 year old rookie. He will be 27 next year. He had to be a top 5 back for that to be a worthwhile selection and was a pretty major miss in my opinion. It turns out that the top RB's that year were all pretty big disappointments (Harris, Etienne, and Javonte Williams). Obviously that draft would have been better off taking a Rhamondre Stevenson or Chuba Hubbard in the 3rd or 4th round and we would have gotten the same caliber of player. If you're taking a RB in the first, you better be 100% sure that guy will be a stud... otherwise it is a pretty big waste of capital

That isn't to say that is always the case. There are backs that are worth higher selections. There are definitely some first round backs that were major hits (Saquon, Adrian Peterson, CMC, etc.), but there definitely is a good rate of hits in the second and third rounds too. I personally think that our best bet is actually Treyveon Henderson in the second round. He is more polished as a 3 down player than Judkins and will be ready to contribute right away. He has similar game to Warren, but is just more physically gifted. He is explosive, fast, good in space, and is good as a receiver. Only knock is his size at 5'10'' 208. He projects best in a tandem, and I think it would be an awesome tandem with Warren. Our offense would always have that homerun threat, receiving threat, and threat in space that this offense misses when Harris is on the field.

I'll go on record saying that I could live with a Buckeye draft.
1. Emeka Egbuka (WR) or Tyleik Williams (DT)
2. Treyveon Henderson (RB), Quinshon Judkins (RB) or Denzel Burke (CB)
3. Davison Igbinosun (CB)

 

I like him and think he finds a place on a roster, could be star or just a guy who is there and does the blue collar work, either way he has a Steeler feel. What I want to know is his true size stats, seen him listed at 5'10 or 11, when standing with 6'4 guys he looks tiny lol. I get camera angles and all, but he reminds me of Joe Morris from Syracuse and NY Giants.

 

If he runs fast enough he might have a future as a short yardage specialist and 3rd down back. Hard to see him as an every down player in the NFL, but I could be wrong. I'd prefer we go with a more explosive player at the position. This seems like a pretty deep RB class, so there isn't any excuses for not walking away with a solid player from this one.

 

Try poor blocking, being hit before he even gets to the los.

 

You are somewhat correct. Yes, OL fails to open holes, but ever since Najee got here, there was talk he doesn’t find the correct hole or isn’t quick enough to get thro hole.

 

Is that why he has gained over 4000 yrs since drafted, hardly ever fails to answer
the bell week in week out. Plays with steel orthotics in his shoe because
he had Liz Franc injury. That Najee?

 

He is very durable. A lot of talk in Pittsburgh sports media, Najee most likely not a Steeler next season.
Me, personally, I would like to keep him and Warren if we could.

 

The Steelers usually let their players test the FA market.

 

I agree. he will be drafted by someone and we will see how it goes. He just reminds me of some backs we have had, not necessarily the same style, but attitude and work ethic. Rich Erenberg comes to mind, someone who is just there, and does the job thats needed at the time.

 

Like many this is one 5th year option I wished they would have picked up, but really I don't think its a bombshell move either way. Someone posted here Najee will be a 12 million a year back in his deal with someone, the RB market will likely go up, but Barkley (I believe) is a 12 million hit, Henry is 10 million. Najee is not these guys and there are others just as good or better in their respective schemes. if the Steelers want him they can make an offer, if Najee likes it here take the offer or go to better pastures, I think if used correctly and had a better line there certainly is value, but also lacks things the best backs offer.

 

That screen pass at the end of the first half of the OSU/Texas game to Henderson is why I am so high on him as our next RB. He gets a bit of space and he's immediately a threat to score. Great speed, vision, can run it out of the shotgun, from QB under center, is a quality pass blocker, a quality pass catcher, and can even be split out into the slot. He could be our Jamyr Gibbs and would pair really well with Warren. I am sure he will run a really fast 40 time in the combine, so I am not 100% sure where he would go (or if he would be available with our second round pick). But he is probably the #1 player I want on our team next year from the draft.

 

I think the RB position has a bit of a resurgence, but I am not sure that Najee is considered in the Barkley/Henry conversation by any scouts/GM's... even the ones that like him. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get something in the 9 million range if a team is desperate enough for a RB of his size.

Personally I view Najee as about the 20-25th best RB in the league. That would put him in the 3.5-4 million a year range. That is probably what his skillset is worth in today's NFL, but you're worth whatever someone will pay you for your services... so I'd imagine someone else would be willing to pay more. Personally, at the end of the year I'd thank him for his efforts and services and wish him luck with whatever team he signs for. Our team needs to go in a different direction at RB, so I wouldn't even extend him a contract offer. The BEST place he could go is probably San Diego (I think that is a good team that wants to run, has a good OL, good coach, and a QB/WR1 combo that would make it a great fit), but the teams that need a RB most are Dallas, Vegas, and Denver. Potentially Cleveland too depending on how Chubb recovers. Highest bidder probably comes from those 3-4 places. He's going to get a pretty good contract, and I'd be very surprised if he produced at a level that fans of that team will be happy with.

He's a great kid and an okay RB. I hope he gets his money and finishes his career out healthy.... I just hope he gets that money from another team. We need some explosion in the backfield, and a young RB in the draft will be exactly what the doctor ordered.

 

I saw today that Singletons and Other PSU RB are
heading back to PSU. Probably making
more money at PSU than they would in NFL in or around 3 rd of draft.

 

Yeah, people bitching about Najee are getting more of the same with this guy, except he's 30 lbs lighter. He's not going to test well. It wouldn't surprise me if he's "ill" on his 40 day. The 40 will only hurt him.

He's fun to watch but he's in college. I don't think his skills are going to translate well. Merely running hard can get you by in college but, at his size, that's not gonna cut it in the pro's.