Franco Harris made no bones about whom he wanted the Pittsburgh Steelers to select in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris, the Steelers’ Hall of Fame running back who unexpectedly passed away last December, was hoping that his former team would take a player who shares his last name and former position.
“If he’s available, I would like to see another Harris in the backfield,” Harris told CBS Sports prior to the draft while alluding to Najee Harris. “We need a running game. I can’t tell you how disappointing it was last year, we get to within the 5-yard line going into the end zone and we’re throwing all the time. We’re not pounding it in there and having running backs do their thing. We need a running back that can really make a difference. This Harris kid is a tough kid. I feel he could really make a difference. Him or Travis Etienne from Clemson.
“Right now, we have a lot of needs. There’s no doubt that everybody always puts the focus on quarterbacks and offensive tackles. But I would like to see [the Steelers take a] running back, because I feel that a running back can make a huge difference in a game.”
Harris’ wish came true. Pittsburgh selected the former Alabama standout while making him the Steelers’ first running back taken in the first round in 13 years.
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-najee-harris-is-living-up-to-legendary-franco-harris-pre-draft-hopes/
Author : Bryan DeArdo
Publish date : 2023-11-28 17:49:07
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