4 best-case scenarios for 49ers in 2021 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Najee Harris slips to 49ers in Round 2
Even if the 49ers never traded up from No. 12 overall, they shouldn’t be placing a first-round grade on Alabama running back Najee Harris despite him having first-round talent.
While Harris, the dual-threat weapon who put on a show during the Crimson Tide’s win over Ohio State during the CFB Playoff Championship game, could easily go in Round 1 — and many a big board and mock draft suggest he will — the league’s recent trend of not using first-round picks on running backs could ultimately push him into Round 2.
It wouldn’t be unlike what happened with former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins a year ago after he was considered a clear-cut first-round prospect, only to slip to the Baltimore Ravens in Round 2 at No. 55 overall.
Harris, a Northern California native, would be a seamless fit in the Niners offense under head coach Kyle Shanahan. And while one could argue Harris would be worth trading up back into the latter stages of Round 1 to land, the best-case outcome here, of course, would be the talented runner slipping to pick No. 43 overall.
Considering San Francisco has zero running backs rostered into 2022, it wouldn’t be a bad move to at least keep eyes on what happens with Harris and if he slips into the second round.