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Najee Harris will benefit “perhaps more than anyone” from Russell Wilson’s start, Kaboly argues
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Najee Harris will benefit “perhaps more than anyone” from Russell Wilson’s start, Kaboly argues

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris had one of the best games of his career last week as he ran for over 100 yards. It was only the seventh time in his career that he had achieved this and the first since last season. He also managed 100 yards rushing on just 14 carries, eight fewer than any other 100-yard rushing game of his career. And he could potentially benefit significantly if the Steelers use Russell Wilson at quarterback, Mark Kaboly believes.

“It should help (Harris), maybe more than anyone, to have Russell Wilson starting,” he said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan. “Because now you have to loosen the box. They threw eight boxes at him most of the season. I don't care who you are, it's going to be hard sledding. Especially since the offensive line now has its seventh, different combination? I think that should be expressed a little more with him, a little bit of game action.”

According to ESPN's Next Gen Stats, Najee Harris has competed in eight-man boxes 19.79 percent of the time this season. Compared to other running backs in the league, however, that is only in the middle of the pack. There have been times when the defense has approached him this way. In Week 5, for example, he faced eight or more defenders 42.86 percent of the time. However, last week the Raiders were only successful 14.29 percent of the time.

In other words, the narrative that defenses refuse to stop Najee Harris because they don't respect Justin Fields and the passing game isn't actually true. Occasionally the defense has taken this approach, but that's true week to week for every team.

But the addition of Russell Wilson could potentially be an asset to the play-action passing game. While the Steelers use it extensively, Justin Fields hasn't had much success. Historically, Wilson has done well, even excelled, at utilizing play-action. And while play-action passing doesn't necessarily set up the running game, it certainly doesn't hurt it. In general, a more balanced offense should help everyone, including Harris.

While Kaboly believes Najee Harris could be the biggest beneficiary of Russell Wilson starting for the Steelers, Ray Fittipaldo argued it should be WR George Pickens. What's more likely, in my opinion, is that either almost everyone will benefit or no one will.

I'll give my own example: Van Jefferson will be the biggest beneficiary of starting Russell Wilson because Wilson distributes the ball much more reliably than Fields. Harris was largely the focal point of the offense in many ways, but the passing game should play a larger role. And that means the No. 2 WR will actually play a role in the passing game.

Perhaps we could expand on this even further and claim that Roman Wilson will be the biggest beneficiary. The rookie third-round pick finally stepped up last week, but he played all five snaps and only ran one route. Instead of Najee Harris, who already has 110 touches this year, how about someone with zero touches?

In other words, as long as you can keep writing or talking, you can make an argument for anyone.

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