As we begin the bowling season and the college football championship, NFL Draft experts are finalizing their boards for the first of several mock drafts after the end of the season.
According to Pro Football Focus, a website that analyzes analyzes of college and professional football, Najee Harris is third among the running backs of the NFL’s 2021 draft.
He is sitting behind Javonte Williams (North Carolina) and Travis Etienne (Clemson), despite Harris leading the NCAA in touchdowns (24).
The 6-foot-2, 230 pound totaled consecutive campaigns of 1,000 yards, as he recorded 1,262 yards on 214 loads. After launching 1,224 yards in 2019, Harris showed improved speed, passing blocking skills and fine-tuned his skills at the receiver. He took 32 passes for 316 yards with three hits.
2021 NFL Draft RB Rankings
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson
2. Javonte Williams, UNC
3. Najee Harris, Bama
4. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
5. Khalil Herbert, VA Tech pic.twitter.com/4mRMp8Wvr9– PFF College (@PFF_College) December 26, 2020
Harris managed five 100-yard runs and nine 100-yard scrimmage games.
He dominated the Southeastern Conference Championship Game – scoring 178 yards in races, 67 yards receiving and five touchdowns to win the Most Valuable Player award. In terms of his career, Harris is Alabama’s all-time leader in running yards (3,639) and touchdowns (44).
He also has the highest number of scores for a running back (54) and finished fifth as a Heisman finalist. Of the teams that are in the top 10 next April, nobody needs a back, but some teams can use one.
For the sincerity of Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Harris is a first-round draft figure.
Applicants like Miami Dolphins or Seattle Seahawks could benefit from getting Harris.
For now, he is focused on ending his career with a National CFP Championship. He and Crimson Tide will face Notre Dame at the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) on January 1, 2021.
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Stephen M. Smith is the editor-in-chief and senior editor at Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” it on Facebook or “follow him” on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
