PFF Releases Forecast For Stealers’ Fifth-Year Options
Pro Football Focus’s Brad Spielberger recently conducted an exercise in which he attempted to project every 2021 first-round draft pick’s fifth-year option selection. Spielberger thinks the Steelers will take up the option on Najee Harris, the running back for them.
The deadline for the Steelers to decide is May 2.
Spielberger stated, “Harris is a good all-around player who can run very hard between the tackles, grab the ball out of the backfield with confident hands, and block for the team’s new quarterback tandem. “It remains to be seen how he fits with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and going forward, he should give up an increasing number of snaps to Jaylen Warren, but not enough to make Pittsburgh’s decision to decline the fifth-year option.”
Harris has not made a straight-up Pro Bowl in the league’s eyes, thus his price tag will be $6.790 million. The fact that he was an alternate selection for one Pro Bowl has no bearing on the cost of his fifth-year option.
Given his offensive line play in front of him, Harris—the organization’s first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft—has performed well in his first three seasons with the team in less than ideal circumstances.
During a news conference at the NFL Combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan stated, “We have until the first week in May to make a decision.” The fact that we have a new offensive coordinator will influence the choices we make. Arthur and I are having discussions. It’s been fantastic. Coach Tomlin, Arthur, and I have been communicating a lot, and we’ve been discussing the offense and our goals for it. We also have the utmost regard for Najee, and we’ll decide before May 2.
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