X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

2023 Dynasty Fantasy Football Faller: Najee Harris

Najee Harris - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Jackson Sparks discusses RB Najee Harris as one of the top dynasty fantasy football fallers for 2023 after a disappointing 2022 fantasy season.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was selected with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Alabama. The 232-pound back displayed juicy receiving upside given his size and was fully expected to be a PPR fantasy machine immediately. Harris delivered an RB3 season in PPR formats as a rookie, rushing for 1,200 yards on 307 attempts and catching 74 of his 94 targets for 467 yards. He also totaled 10 touchdowns.

However, his sophomore campaign was disappointing, to say the least. We knew he would probably see some regression in his overall workload from his 381-touch rookie year, but his rushing efficiency declined and his overall receiving production took a sharp hit. Harris failed to finish the year as an RB1 in a mediocre year for the position as a whole – and is now one of the biggest dynasty fantasy football fallers heading into 2023.

In this edition of dynasty risers and fallers, we'll dive into Harris' 2022 campaign, his dynasty value and trade market, and his 2023 fantasy football outlook. Let's get to it!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2022 Season Review

Harris entered the 2022 season with a foot injury that cost him time in the preseason, but that didn't stop him from being a top-five RB in preseason ADP. His Week 1 workload and production would foreshadow the mistake that would become.

Harris rushed 10 times for just 23 yards and caught two passes for three yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals with Mitch Trubisky at QB. His fantasy performance was saved thanks to the one-yard receiving score, but his fantasy managers were immediately put on notice.

He followed that up with 15 rushes for 49 yards and five receptions for 40 yards in Week 2, posting his first RB1 week of the year at RB12. Little did fantasy managers know – it would be one of just three RB1 finishes in 2022.

From Week 3 to Week 5, Harris rushed 44 times for 150 yards (3.4 YPC) and caught six of seven targets for 21 yards. He scored zero touchdowns during that stretch. That production made him just the RB36 with 9.0 fantasy points per game in PPR formats in the three-game span – leading to full-blown panic mode for his drafters. He also saw a lackluster workload and wasn't efficient in Week 6 – rushing 14 times for 42 yards and catching two passes for seven yards – but another red zone touchdown saved his fantasy day.

In summary, he posted RB22 numbers through six weeks and only delivered respectable fantasy performances with touchdowns near the goal line. His pass-catching volume would pick up a bit between Weeks 7 and 10, but he still only finished as the RB28, RB26, and RB28 in those three games, respectively.

His spike came in the Week 11 rematch with the Bengals as the Alabama product handled 20 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns, adding four receptions for 26 yards on his way to an RB3 finish. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett had his best day as a pro as the Steelers scored 30 points and Harris finished inside the top 10 weekly RBs for the first time since Week 17 of 2021.

Harris was a respectable fantasy option at RB from this point on – posting RB28, RB25, RB15, RB18, RB13, RB9, and RB13 finishes (in that order). His overall fantasy production improved as Pickett got more comfortable in the Steelers' offense, but again, Harris was a preseason top-five running back selection, so 14 finishes outside the top 12 weekly RBs surely hurt his stock.

Overall, Harris finished his sophomore season with 272 carries for 1,034 yards and seven rushing scores, and 41 receptions on 53 targets for three receiving touchdowns. According to PlayerProfiler.com data, Harris ranked 59th in true yards per carry (3.7), 52nd in yards per touch (4.0), 51st in breakaway run rate (2.6%), 45th in yards created per touch (2.13), 28th in yards per route run (0.92), and 63rd in fantasy points per touch/target (0.69) among running backs.

He ranked 14th in total fantasy points, but RB19 in fantasy points per game. It was a positive sign to see him make it through the season without any missed action after a monster workload as a rookie, but he failed to deliver fantasy managers. Harris was one of only eight running backs to see 300 or more touches, but all the other seven backs finished as top-11 running backs in 2022. People who used a first-round pick on him likely finished near the bottom of their league rankings.

 

Najee Harris Dynasty Value/Market

While player valuations will vary widely from league to league, KeepTradeCut.com is a helpful resource for getting an idea of a player's value. These crowdsourced rankings have Harris as the dynasty RB12 and the 39th most valuable player or draft pick overall (single-QB leagues). At this time last year (April 17), Harris was valued as the RB3. Needless to say, it has been a sharp decline for the former first-round pick.

Najee-Harris-Dynast-Value

Najee Harris Dynasty Value

He's now in the range of banged-up RBs like Javonte Williams and aging veterans like Austin Ekeler. At peak value last season, he was easily worth an early first-round rookie pick, but it's hard to expect even a mid-first-round selection in return for him after a disappointing season.

 

2023 Fantasy Football Outlook

In early FFPC draft ADP, Harris is coming off the board at the RB14 spot (37.43 overall). Generally speaking, this is probably an appropriate spot for Harris. With a mobile Pickett under center instead of the aging Ben Roethlisberger from his rookie year, he's less likely to see consistent high-volume passing game usage. Pickett has the ability to scramble or extend plays outside of the pocket, so it was natural for Harris to see target regression from 2021 to 2022.

However, he's still likely to see one of the heaviest workloads among all running backs and if the Steelers' offense takes a significant leap in the upcoming season, Harris could have more touchdown upside. A healthy Harris should have a mid-level RB2 floor with an RB1 ceiling, but unless he sees elite volume and Pittsburgh's offense is a top-10 unit in the NFL, we likely won't replicate his stellar rookie-season performance.

It's worth noting undrafted free agent rookie Jaylen Warren was the more efficient and explosive runner last season, but given his lack of draft capital, it's tough to see him taking a large chunk of Harris' touches. He could see more opportunity, but it shouldn't be enough to cause us to fade Harris. As a general rule, we shouldn't fade players altogether after a down season. At Harris' RB14 ADP, he's more than worth taking on in early 2023 fantasy drafts.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jacoby Brissett

Expected to Start for Cardinals in Week 7
Mike Evans

a Game-Time Decision in Week 7
Chris Godwin

Ruled Out for Week 7
Emeka Egbuka

Week 7 Status a "Game-Time Decision"
New York Knicks

Knicks Cut Ties with Garrison Mathews
Dallas Mavericks

Dalano Banton Waived by the Mavericks
Miami Heat

Precious Achiuwa Waived by Miami
Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Waive Dennis Smith Jr.
Macklin Celebrini

Has Multi-Point Outing Friday
Clayton Keller

Grabs Four Points in Friday's Victory
Nick Schmaltz

Celebrates Second Career Hat Trick Versus Sharks
Dylan Strome

Erupts for Four Points Against Wild
Dylan Larkin

Leads Red Wings to Victory Friday
Zach Bogosian

Hurt on Friday
Nikita Kucherov

Struck by Illness
Jauan Jennings

Good to Go in Week 7
George Kittle

Expected to Play With No Limitations in Week 7
Brendan Donovan

Undergoes Sports Hernia Surgery
George Springer

Exits Game 5 Early After HBP on his Knee
Jackson Chourio

Back in Game 4 Lineup Against Dodgers
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 7
Kyler Murray

Officially Questionable for Week 7
George Kittle

Likely Playing in Week 7
Alexander Romanov

to Be a Game-Time Call Saturday
Nils Lundkvist

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
Justin Danforth

Expected to Miss More Than One Month
Brock Bowers

Considered Doubtful for Week 7
Jonathan Huberdeau

Set for Season Debut Saturday
Brock Purdy

Ruled Out Again in Week 7
Liam O'Brien

Makes Season Debut Friday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Clears Concussion Protocol, Will be Active on Sunday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Out Against Wild
Lucas Raymond

to Remain Out Friday
CeeDee Lamb

Off the Injury Report, Will Return in Week 7
Anze Kopitar

Out Week-to-Week
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable For Week 7
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Has Bone Spurs Removed From his Elbow
Carson Wentz

Named Vikings' Starting Quarterback in Week 7
Brendan Allen

Set For UFC Vancouver Main Event
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder A Favorite At UFC Vancouver
Mike Malott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Puka Nacua

Rams "Very Optimistic" Puka Nacua Will Return After Week 8 Bye
Kevin Holland

Set For UFC Vancouver Co-Main Event
Aiemann Zahabi

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
D'Andre Swift

Bears "Hopeful" That D'Andre Swift Will Play in Week 7
Bradley Beal

Set to Make Clippers Debut in Preseason Finale
Marlon Vera

Returns At UFC Vancouver
VJ Edgecombe

Set to Return for Preseason Finale
Calvin Ridley

Ruled Out for Sunday
Jeremy Sochan

Won't Play in Season Opener
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
AJ Green

Bucks Agree to Contract Extension
Manon Fiorot

Looks To Bounce Back
Stefon Diggs

Questionable for Sunday
Aoriqileng

Aori Aoriqileng Looks To Rebound
Cody Gibson

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaylen Brown

Considered Day-to-Day with Hamstring Tightness
Kyle Nelson

Set For Lightweight Bout
Matt Frevola

Set To Open Up UFC Vancouver Main Card
Jaden Ivey

Will Miss Four Weeks After Knee Surgery
Paul George

Expected to Miss Season Opener
Chuba Hubbard

Will Return in Week 7
Joel Embiid

Set to Make Preseason Debut on Friday
Terry McLaurin

Ruled Out for Week 7
Mark Stone

Stays Hot With Hat Trick of Assists
Evgeni Malkin

Continues Prolific Start
Shane Pinto

Pots Sixth Goal of the Campaign
Cole Caufield

Pushes Canadiens Past Predators
Shayne Gostisbehere

Delivers Three Assists in Thursday's Win
Matthew Schaefer

Makes History With Another Assist
CFB

Curt Cignetti Signs Eight-Year, $11.6 Million Extension With Indiana
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day After Elbow Surgery
Anthony Santander

Removed From ALCS Roster With Back Injury
Jackson Chourio

Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early in Game 3 of NLCS
Aaron Judge

Will Not Need Elbow Surgery
Anthony Volpe

Won't be Ready for Start of Next Season
Gerrit Cole

Won't be Ready for Opening Day Next Year
Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Livingston Waived by the Bucks
Keegan Murray

Nique Clifford Shines in Keegan Murray's Absence
Cooper Flagg

Continues to Start at Point Guard
Ron Harper Jr.

Earns a Two-Way Deal with the Celtics
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Waived by the Hornets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sterling Shepard's Stock Rising for Buccaneers
CFB

Jermod McCoy Officially Out for Alabama Matchup
CFB

Jam Miller Questionable to Face Tennessee
Jaden Ivey

Considered Day-to-Day
Josh Hart

Making Progress
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Busy in Preseason Debut
CFB

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt Probable For Saturday
Anthony Volpe

Undergoes Left-Shoulder Surgery
CFB

Jayden Gibson No Longer with Oklahoma Program
Emmanuel Clase

to be Banished for Life After Gambling Allegations?
Alex Bregman

Plans to Opt Out of Contract With Red Sox
Christopher Bell

Sits Third in Points After Quiet Third-Place Finish
Chase Briscoe

Passes Denny Hamlin at the Start, but Hamlin Gets Him in the End
Joey Logano

Falling Out of Playoff Picture Despite Other Contenders' Crashes
Ryan Blaney

Stage 1 Crash Puts Ryan Blaney in Severe Playoff Trouble
Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
CFB

UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
CFB

Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
CFB

Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP