5 prospects SF 49ers should avoid in Round 1 of 2021 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Running Back Najee Harris, Alabama
Running Back. Crimson Tide . Najee Harris. 4. player. 829.
Yes, the thought of Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris in an SF 49ers uniform is awfully enticing. The dual-threat runner was a massive force during Alabama’s CFB Playoff Championship game win over Ohio State, and one could easily envision what Kyle Shanahan could do with a player of Harris’ pedigree.
Plus, it would be a nice “coming home” story for the Northern California native.
Harris saw his stock value climb after the NCAA finale and could easily be a first-round pick now. And if the Niners didn’t have too many other needs elsewhere, going after him as a “luxury item” would be a wise move.
The problem, though, is San Francisco has far too many other needs elsewhere to use a Round 1 pick on Harris. If Harris was to slip into Round 2, that’s one thing. But that no longer seems likely. Plus, the SF 49ers already have a fairly loaded running back room with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty and Austin Walter on the depth chart. Combine that with Shanahan’s tendency to invest in running backs either late or even after the draft, and Harris doesn’t seem like a first choice here.
This could all change depending on the Niners’ actions in free agency to address their other needs.
But for now, Harris is a luxury pick San Francisco simply can’t afford.