The Pittsburgh Steelers let running back Najee Harris walk in free agency on Monday. Harris signed a one-year deal worth $9.25 million with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.
USATSI 25117666 168400517 lowres
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) celebrates a touchdown carry in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.
Harris is 27 years old and it will be interesting to see what he does with Los Angeles next season. During the 2024 season with Pittsburgh, he rushed for 1,043 yards on 263 carries and six touchdowns, along with averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Najee Harris also caught 36 passes for 283 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 7.9 yards per reception.
Pittsburgh Steelers Find Najee Harris Replacement In Latest CBS Sports Mock Draft
USATSI 24883543 168400517 lowres
Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Kamal Bonner (34) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell wrote about his latest NFL mock draft. With the 21st pick in this year’s draft, Podell has the Steelers selecting running back Omarion Hampton from the North Carolina Tar Heels. A lot of people think he is the second best running back in this draft class behind Ashton Jeanty of the Boise State Broncos.
Podell said,
“North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton crushed the combine and firmly established himself as the 2025 NFL Draft’s RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. He registered a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00, which is the 14th best out of 1,909 running back prospects from 1987 to 2025. Pittsburgh likely lets Najee Harris walk in free agency, and then it selects Hampton to be the new lead back.”
Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson are currently listed as the top two running backs on the Steelers. Omarion Hampton would be the top running back for Pittsburgh instantly. Last season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, he rushed for 1,660 yards on 281 carries and 15 touchdowns, along with averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Hampton also caught 38 passes for 373 yards receiving and two touchdowns, along with averaging 9.8 yards per reception. This would be another addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Hampton is 6’0″ and weighs 220 lbs. They already traded for DK Metcalf this offseason. If Pittsburgh were to draft him in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it would be interesting to see who he would receive handoffs from also.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
Our Partners
Book An Athlete Appearance MSM 2023 CTA 720x90 1book athlete 1 1 600x600 1
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.