When the Steelers selected Alabama running back Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, they got the Crimson Tide's all-time leader in total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards.
The addition is an immediate boost to a rushing offense that ranked dead last in the NFL in 2020 after losing the team's starting running back James Conner to free agency.
It also excited plenty of the Steelers, past and present. Chief among them, the Steelers' All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a former teammate of Harris at Alabama:
MY DAWG @ohthatsNajee22
— Minkah Fitzpatrick (@minkfitz_21) April 30, 2021
— Minkah Fitzpatrick (@minkfitz_21) April 30, 2021
There were many who saw Harris as a great addition to the Steelers even before he was picked, including myself and Dale Lolley who both mocked Harris to the Steelers at 24 with our final mock drafts.
Even former Steelers, like Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris, expressed excitement:
Another Harris in Pittsburgh‼️@ohthatsNajee22, meet @francoharrishof! pic.twitter.com/sTLEQ1aUNf
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 30, 2021
And another running back:
Welcome to PITTSBURGH @ohthatsNajee22 🔥‼️ #HEREWEGO
— Willie Parker (@3williethadude9) April 30, 2021
The fit just made sense, as former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace thought:
Perfect pick for the Steelers Najee Harris
— Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) April 30, 2021
But especially Steelers who will work with Harris on offense were excited, as Zach Banner couldn't contain himself on Twitter when the pick was announced:
Touchdown...
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) April 30, 2021
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) April 30, 2021
And defensive players shared in Banner's excitement, as Cam Heyward tweeted about how a strong running game would only help the Steelers' defense, and other leaders on the unit agreed:
A defenses best friend is a good running game! Man let’s go @ohthatsNajee22
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 30, 2021
Yesssssirrrrrrr!!!!!!!!
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) April 30, 2021
Now the Steelers prepare to add to the roster with their second and third round picks Friday.