Most draft experts thought running back Najee Harris would be taken by Miami before the Steelers got to pick last night, but the Dolphins took wide receiver Jaylen Wassle with the 6th overall choice, and then edge rusher Jaelen Phillips with the 18th pick, bypassing the running back position.
Harris was still on the board when the Steelers made the 24th overall selection, and they snapped up the 6-2, 230-pound Alabama runner.
Harris was rated as the top running back in the draft and he said he was ready to go to work for the Steelers.
General Manager Kevin Colbert says Harris has the ability to be an every-down back.
Coach Mike Tomlin says Harris is ready to play in the NFL right now.
Harris says he feels no pressure to be the “savior” of last year’s worst running game in the NFL.
Harris says he has everything it takes to be successful in the NFL.
The second night of the NFL Draft will be held tonight with rounds two and three. The Steelers will have single picks in each round, at number 55 overall and number 87. Tomorrow, they will have five picks: Two in the 4th round, one in the 6th, and two in the 7th.
The Steelers yesterday also announced a one-year contract extension for backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, through the 2022 season.
NFL DRAFT
The Jacksonville Jaguars took Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall selection in the draft. The Jets took BYU quarterback Zach Wilson second, while the 49ers added North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance third overall. Atlanta made Florida’s Kyle Pitts the highest-selected tight end in NFL history with the 4th pick. LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was then reunited with his former teammate, quarterback Joe Burrow, as the Bengals made Chase the #5 selection.
In the AFC North, the Browns drafted cornerback Greg Newsome II of Northwestern and the Ravens chose wide receiver Rashod Bateman of Minnesota and Penn State edge rusher Jayson Oweh.
In the quarterback market, the Bears traded up for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields at No. 6, while Alabama quarterback Mac Jones fell to the 15th slot, to the Patriots.
Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith landed with the Eagles at No. 10. The Cowboys took Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th overall selection.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has reportedly told the Packers he does not want to return to Green Bay. The Packers have been trying to mend the relationship but Rodgers hasn’t budged. The Packers tell ESPN they are “committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond.”
Comments