Steelers' Najee Harris Believed to Be NFL's Best RB in 2023

PITTSBURGH -- Could Najee Harris have the breakout year the Pittsburgh Steelers have been waiting for? Entering his third NFL season, CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo believes he's headed to the top of the league's rushing list in 2023.

Listing three reasons to believe in Harris this season, DeArdo says fans should expect Harris to become the NFL's best running back this season, naming the rebuilt offensive line and a recouped offense as reasons why.

DeArdo says that the progression of Jaylen Warren and Kenny Pickett actually help Harris reach new levels this season.

"A car is only as good as its tires, though, and running backs are only as effective as the offensives they play in," he writes. "Good passing games lead to more running room for running backs, while an effective offensive line is a back's lifeblood. Fortunately for Harris, the Steelers have strengthened their passing game and have aggressively bolstered their offensive line."

Harris finished his first two seasons with 1,000-plus yards, but didn't get there with ease. As the Steelers worked through the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger and the finding of Kenny Pickett, their offense didn't have much of a passing game.

So, defenses targeted Harris, who admitted that 2021 was the toughest running situation he's had in his career. But in 2023, things look to be ready to roll smoothly at quarterback.

"During his first two seasons, Harris played with 39-year-old Roethlisberger, veteran Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett. Roethlisberger was still good, but defenses were more focused on stopping Harris during Big Ben's last dance. Harris remained the vocal point of defenses last season as the Steelers tried to find their next starting quarterback.

"Fortunately for Harris, the Steelers found him in Pickett, whose play steadily improved as his starts started to stack up. The wins also started to stack up, as Pittsburgh went 7-5 with Pickett under center," DeArdo writes.

Could Harris become the premiere back of the NFL this season? Well, with a revamped offensive line, a second-year Pickett and healthy feet after suffering two injuries last season, things certainly look like there's a chance.

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!