Steelers Third-Year Running Back Najee Harris Is Poised For His Best Season In 2023 Behind A Vastly Improved Offensive Line

Pittsburgh Steelers' third-year running back, Najee Harris has emerged as one of the most reliable ball carriers in the NFL. During his first two seasons in the league, he has carried the ball 579 times for over 2,200 yards and 14 touchdowns and also hauled in 115 receptions for 696 yards and six touchdowns. An absolute workhorse. 

However, there have been moments in his young NFL career in which he has been stifled by the opposing team's defense and has not had anywhere to run the football. While some of this may fall on the shoulders of Harris, many would agree that a majority of the blame falls on offensive line play for the Steelers. 

The Steelers' running back is a downhill, physical player who performs best when his offensive line is getting movement off the ball. This type of movement has occurred sparingly over the past two seasons. However, with a vastly improved unit up front and a duo of tight ends who are exceptional run blockers, Harris may finally be able to showcase his full range of talents and demonstrate why he is one of the most valuable offensive weapons for the Steelers in 2023. 

The Steelers Have Proved Their Commitment To Run The Football

The Steelers are in the midst of their busiest offseason in quite some time. General Manager, Omar Khan, has not only done exceptionally well in free agency, but also just wrapped up the 2023 NFL Draft in which many have declared the Steelers as "one of the winners." Players such as Patrick Peterson and Cole Holcomb will undoubtedly help the team on the defensive side of the ball, but there has perhaps been no bigger point of emphasis this offseason than to bring in players who will help the Steelers do one thing, run the ball. 

The offensive line play for the Steelers in 2022 was solid, especially during the second half of the season in which the team won seven of their final nine games. However, with Isaac Seumalo set to take over at left guard and first-round pick, Broderick Jones, ready to play left tackle, the group figures to be much improved in 2023. They will join Mason Cole, James Daniels, and Chukwuma Okorafor as the projected starters next season. 

Not only has Khan increased the talent level at the offensive line, but he has also re-signed Zach Gentry and drafted Darnell Washington, who both possess tremendous size at the tight end position and will play critical roles in helping the Steelers run the football effectively in 2023. With both players weighing over 260 pounds, the two will essentially serve as additional offensive linemen and will allow the team to be in "12 personnel" extensively next season, an ideal formation to run the ball. 

Harris Is Poised To Have His Best Season In 2023

While Harris has been productive during his first two seasons, he is only averaging 3.9 yards per rush over the course of his career. For comparison purposes, Cleveland Browns running back, Nick Chubb, has a career average of 5.2 yards per rush and San Francisco 49ers' running back, Christian McCaffrey averages 4.6 yards. If Harris is to put himself in the conversation with the best running backs in the game, he will need to improve this number. Fortunately, with an improved offensive line group and a fully healthy foot that bothered him in 2022, Harris has the perfect opportunity to do so. 

There is no denying how talented of a player Harris is. His ability to run with power in between the tackles combined with his impressive pass-catching make him one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL. This talent, unfortunately, has not been able to be adequately showcased due to the poor level of play by the Steelers' offensive line over the past two seasons. Fortunately, the Steelers at an organizational level have made their intentions abundantly clear to get back to old school, smash mouth football and let Harris be the featured component of the team's offense in 2023. 

An improved run game next season will not only benefit Harris, but also second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett, as it will allow for the offense to run more play-action, which the team did not do a lot of in 2022. With Pickett having a full offseason as the Steelers' unquestioned starter at quarterback, the team may be well on their way to possessing one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL. Get ready, Steeler Nation. Harris has only scratched the surface of his potential as a running back. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation? 

How do Yinz feel about Harris going in to 2023? Do you think he is capable of being a top-five running back next season? Do you believe the offensive line will play better in 2023 compared to 2022? Leave a comment! 

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