Who Should I Start? Najee Harris or DeVonta Smith

Friday, April 17, 6:01 AM

With less than a week until the 2026 NFL Draft, veteran running back Najee Harris remains unsigned, and that is unlikely to change before teams have the chance to sort through the younger, healthier options of what is largely considered an underwhelming rookie class of runners. Following four serviceable seasons with the Steelers, Harris was signed by the Chargers, where he was expected to split time with rookie Omarion Hampton, until a Fourth of July fireworks accident had some wondering if his career might be over. He was ultimately able to return to the field for the start of the 2025 season, but after limited offseason conditioning, he tore his Achilles in Week 3, ending his Chargers career after only 15 carries. All reports suggest that his recovery has gone well, and while his fantasy heyday is likely behind him, in the right landing spot, he could still carve out just enough of a role to siphon touches from a team's lead back. Harris recently visited with the Raiders, where new head coach Klint Kubiak has a history of dividing the workload amongst his running backs and has already expressed an interest in continuing that approach in Vegas, despite the jarring lack of depth currently behind Ashton Jeanty.