Najee Harris Draft Position

[bigjue24]

I would be surprised if Najee returns. RB's have a limited shelf life in most cases. There are a few exceptions to this. The other question to ask is how much can he raise his draft stock by coming back? RB's just don't get the love in the NFL draft anymore. It is a devalued position in the NFL.

I would love to have him back. His improvement over the year was really great to watch. A backfield of him Robinson and Sanders sounds like a dream to me. I do expect a little more direct run type of offense instead of the RPO if Mac is the guy next year, and this would benefit both Najee and the OL in my opinion. I'll be pulling for him whatever his decision is.

 

[TideEngineer08]

If we get Harris back, then I think we will have made out as well as we could have in the returning junior sweepstakes. Perhaps better than could have been expected. Despite the fact that Tua was most likely coming back as late as last Friday until things changed, I look at him as if the injury had not occurred. He would have definitely been leaving. As it happened, it allowed Mac to get valuable starting experience. There is nothing good about the injury Tua has endured. But if there is any silver lining, then that is it.

So we have a QB returning with starting experience. 4 of the 5 starting OL. Perhaps all RBs. Smith and Waddle at WR. All TEs. Then Moses and McMillan on D. The 2020 edition of Alabama football looks a lot more promising than it might have been from a returning player perspective. Something we aren't quite used to.

 

[dWarriors88]

If we get Harris back, then I think we will have made out as well as we could have in the returning junior sweepstakes. Perhaps better than could have been expected. Despite the fact that Tua was most likely coming back as late as last Friday until things changed, I look at him as if the injury had not occurred. He would have definitely been leaving. As it happened, it allowed Mac to get valuable starting experience. There is nothing good about the injury Tua has endured. But if there is any silver lining, then that is it.

So we have a QB returning with starting experience. 4 of the 5 starting OL. Perhaps all RBs. Smith and Waddle at WR. All TEs. Then Moses and McMillan on D. The 2020 edition of Alabama football looks a lot more promising than it might have been from a returning player perspective. Something we aren't quite used to.

Just need to replace our young DC with a more proven and experienced coach and then we’re looking at another run.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Just need to replace our young DC with a more proven and experienced coach and then we’re looking at another run.

I think we need to give up the idea of replacing Golding.... There is a good chance Golding might actually do well with Moses and McMillion. It will give Saban a year to figure out if it is Golding or was it an issue of the personnel not having experience. as much we whined about Golding.. I think its' fair to see what he will do... Golding had lot of issues off the field but he seem to get everything straightened out s... let's wait and see what happens with him. Beside not everyone is exactly lining up to come work for Saban….

 

[gamersfuel]

I would be surprised if Najee returns. RB's have a limited shelf life in most cases. There are a few exceptions to this. The other question to ask is how much can he raise his draft stock by coming back? RB's just don't get the love in the NFL draft anymore. It is a devalued position in the NFL.

I would love to have him back. His improvement over the year was really great to watch. A backfield of him Robinson and Sanders sounds like a dream to me. I do expect a little more direct run type of offense instead of the RPO if Mac is the guy next year, and this would benefit both Najee and the OL in my opinion. I'll be pulling for him whatever his decision is.

thats the thing i'm sure he is considering. He'd go from behind a handful of guys this year to possibly the top guy next year. NFL stopped taking RB's as high as the past however teams who have a strong running game are those who will compete for the Super Bowl this year.

 

[B1GTide]

I think we need to give up the idea of replacing Golding....

I gave up on it when I saw Saban talking about him after the Auburn game.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I’m sure for Najee it’s about the ego. I’m guessing the 3rd round grade was a bit of a bruise.

He doesn’t have the breakaway speed, so his yards are Czonka-Esque

He has great value out there. If he could somehow spend the summer pulling a DH move and work on his speed as he gets to the secondary.

That would propel him upwards.

 

[Power Eye]

I’m sure for Najee it’s about the ego. I’m guessing the 3rd round grade was a bit of a bruise.

He doesn’t have the breakaway speed, so his yards are Czonka-Esque

He has great value out there. If he could somehow spend the summer pulling a DH move and work on his speed as he gets to the secondary.

That would propel him upwards.

I recall Damien focusing on his open field speed after his sophomore season when he was caught from behind on several long runs and it seemed to payoff.

if I was wagering on Najee’s decision then i would put my money on him coming back. I just think the field is too deep this year with Dobbins, Etienne, Taylor, Swift and Hubbard at a minimum being drafted in front of him. Edwards-Helaire could declare as well.

 

[Saban4Ever]

I wonder when Najee will make his decision. Classes start tomorrow. I know he can always withdraw if he leaves early for NFL. It sounds like it is a tough decision for him, especially since he wasn't graded in the 1st or 2nd round. If he does come back, that would be great. If not, we only have a few proven RB's. The others will be freshmen, so even though they may be good at running, they will need to learn to block well to help keep our QB safe!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I’m sure for Najee it’s about the ego. I’m guessing the 3rd round grade was a bit of a bruise.

He doesn’t have the breakaway speed, so his yards are Czonka-Esque

He has great value out there. If he could somehow spend the summer pulling a DH move and work on his speed as he gets to the secondary.

That would propel him upwards.

I don't think he got a 3rd round grade...

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I don't think he got a 3rd round grade...

If he got a 4th Round Grade or lower I would think he almost has to come back.

His season was kind of a Tale of 2 Halves....

In Games 1-6 he had 74 carries for 451 Yards (75.2 YPG) (6.09 YPC) and 1 Rushing TD

In Games 7-13 he had 135 carries for 767 Yards (109.5 YPG) (5.68 YPC) and 12 Rushing TD's

I know people are excited to see Trey Sanders but Najee would be the 1A RB for sure.

He could really raise his Draft Stock if he came back and ran at that 2nd half pace for 1,500+ yards 20+TD's and another 300-500 yards receiving.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

If he got a 4th Round Grade or lower I would think he almost has to come back.

His season was kind of a Tale of 2 Halves....

In Games 1-6 he had 74 carries for 451 Yards (75.2 YPG) (6.09 YPC) and 1 Rushing TD

In Games 7-13 he had 135 carries for 767 Yards (109.5 YPG) (5.68 YPC) and 12 Rushing TD's

I know people are excited to see Trey Sanders but Najee would be the 1A RB for sure.

He could really raise his Draft Stock if he came back and ran at that 2nd half pace for 1,500+ yards 20+TD's and another 300-500 yards receiving.

I think the only grades they give out are 1st round, 2nd round and "return to school":...

 

[B1GTide]

I think the only grades they give out are 1st round, 2nd round and "return to school":...

That is what the board gives. I think there are teams that still give more detail to some coaches when asked but not sure how much those can be trusted.

 

[bamacon]

I’m also pretty sure the NFL Draft board factors in the other players in the draft too. This class really pushes Najee down the board. Next year seems like he’d be the headliner.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

If we get Harris back, then I think we will have made out as well as we could have in the returning junior sweepstakes. Perhaps better than could have been expected. Despite the fact that Tua was most likely coming back as late as last Friday until things changed, I look at him as if the injury had not occurred. He would have definitely been leaving. As it happened, it allowed Mac to get valuable starting experience. There is nothing good about the injury Tua has endured. But if there is any silver lining, then that is it.

So we have a QB returning with starting experience. 4 of the 5 starting OL. Perhaps all RBs. Smith and Waddle at WR. All TEs. Then Moses and McMillan on D. The 2020 edition of Alabama football looks a lot more promising than it might have been from a returning player perspective. Something we aren't quite used to.

And it looks like we will have essentially the same coaching staff...

 

[CoachJeff]

Najee's longest run of his career is only 35 yards. That seems odd. How many guys with almost 400 career carries have a long run of only 35 yards?

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Najee's longest run of his career is only 35 yards. That seems odd. How many guys with almost 400 career carries have a long run of only 35 yards?

Pretty big stage for that run: The fourth quarter of the National Championship game against Georgia. His career shows he plays best in the big moments -- not sure how that computes in NFL's data-driven culture.

 

[Bama Shoals]

Najee's longest run of his career is only 35 yards. That seems odd. How many guys with almost 400 career carries have a long run of only 35 yards?

That speaks to his lack of explosiveness. He just does not have a quick burst or top end speed. I'm not very impressed with his vision as well. There are a lot of plays where you can say he missed the hole or he missed the cutback. I am impressed with his toughness and his receiving ability. But I don't know how far that would get him in the eyes of the NFL decision makers.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

That speaks to his lack of explosiveness. He just does not have a quick burst or top end speed. I'm not very impressed with his vision as well. There are a lot of plays where you can say he missed the hole or he missed the cutback. I am impressed with his toughness and his receiving ability. But I don't know how far that would get him in the eyes of the NFL decision makers.

Hence a draft grade of "Stay in School"

 

[CajunCrimson]

The good news -- is that Najee's average per carry isn't skewed by long runs.....

5.9 ypc without long runs means fewer 3 and out drives.....