Fantasy Upside
It wasn't a great offseason, but there are some key reasons for optimism for Najee Harris in 2024. First, Arthur Smith. Say what you will about Smith, and a lot has been said, but the man can draw up a run game and that will benefit Harris greatly over whatever Matt Canada was doing for most of 2023. Second, the longer Russell Wilson is the starter the better for Harris as he'll have a higher chance of dump-offs versus if Justin Fields were the starter. The Steelers also used significant draft capital on offensive line help.
Fantasy Downside
It's never great when your fifth-year option is declined and the head coach talks up your committee member all off-season. While things have been more positive in camp, Harris is still somewhat inefficient, finishing outside the top 25 running backs in both yards per carry and yards after contact. Add in Arthur Smith's questionable personnel decisions and there is some room for bust potential even at RB24 by ADP. He could also lose more work to Jaylen Warren.
2024 Bottom Line
Harris finished as RB20 in half-point PPR scoring last season and has some clear positives and negatives for this season. Arthur Smith is clearly going to run the football a ton and Harris likely has the majority of the goal line work. However, he'll likely lose whatever passing down work there is to Jaylen Warren, and could take a hit further if Justin Fields takes over as the starter. At RB19, he fits better on half-point PPR sites and would be buying there and opting elsewhere on full-point PPR sites.
