Najee Harris
NFL running back. Position: RB. Status: Unsigned Free Agent (as of June 2026).
Quick Facts
- Position: RB (Running Back)
- Team: Unsigned (formerly Chargers, 2025)
- College: Alabama
- Draft: Round 1, Pick 24, 2021 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- NFL Experience: 5 seasons (2021-2025)
2026 Outlook
Harris remains unsigned following a torn Achilles injury suffered in Week 3 of the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury has delayed team interest significantly, as most organizations want to monitor his recovery before committing. Harris visited with the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders in late March, but both teams subsequently drafted running backs and have crowded depth charts.
Key recovery challenge: Harris is a larger back (6-1, 240+ lbs), which historically makes post-Achilles return more difficult than for lighter-footed backs. However, recent examples like J.K. Dobbins show elite RBs can return to effectiveness, though not always at prior explosiveness levels. Harris's three-down skillset (rushing, receiving, pass protection) could broaden his landing opportunities when teams experience attrition during training camp and preseason.
Potential 2026 landing spots include:
- Baltimore Ravens: As a handcuff to Derrick Henry; Ravens have Eddie Faulkner (Harris's longtime RB coach from Pittsburgh) on staff
- Green Bay Packers: Suddenly relevant after Josh Jacobs' legal issues; Harris would provide veteran lead-back experience
- Chicago Bears: Insurance behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai in Ben Johnson's offense
- Cincinnati Bengals: As a backup to Chase Brown with familiarity from divisional matchups
His 2025 season was shortened by both a July fireworks accident (eye injury) and the Achilles tear, ending a relatively disappointing stint as a $5.25M "prove-it" free agent. However, his track record includes four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start his career with Pittsburgh, demonstrating elite volume potential when healthy (per Najee Harris exploring landing spots after Achilles injury).
If healthy and signed, Harris projects as a committee early-down back who would mainly provide short-yardage and goal-line production in 2026, making him a low-end RB3/FLEX fantasy option. His fantasy value depends heavily on opportunity and touchdowns rather than consistent receiving usage or big-play ability given the post-Achilles recovery concerns. (per Top NFL Free-Agent RBs 2026: Joe Mixon, Austin Ekeler & Veteran Fantasy Football Outlook).
Role / Depth Chart
Unsigned. If signed, likely to serve as a backup or committee back while rehabbing from Achilles injury. Full-time starting role probability depends on landing spot and other RBs' health.
Injury Status
Torn Achilles (Week 3, 2025 season). Recovering. Return timeline unclear; teams monitoring rehab closely before committing. Expected to miss start of 2026 season.
Recent News
- 2026-05-30 — NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026] (NFL Backfield Rankings: Grading Every Team's Running Backs [2026])
- 2026-03-12 — 18 Early Breakout Candidates (2026 Fantasy Football) (18 Early Breakout Candidates (2026 Fantasy Football))
- 2026-06-20 — The 4 NFL trades we should see before Week 1 (The 4 NFL trades we should see before Week 1)
- 2026-05-27 — Top Free Agent Landing Spots For RB Najee Harris (Top Free Agent Landing Spots For RB Najee Harris)
- 2026-06-04 — Fantasy Football Bounceback Candidates For 2026: Christian Watson, Drake London and More (Fantasy Football Bounceback Candidates For 2026: Christian Watson, Drake London and More)
- 2026-05-06 — Fantasy Football: 4 frustrating RB depth charts and how Justin Boone is approaching... (Fantasy Football: 4 frustrating RB depth charts and how Justin Boone is approaching...)
- 2026-06-11 — Ranking The Top 10 Second-Year Fantasy Football Running Backs: Broncos RB RJ Harvey... (Ranking The Top 10 Second-Year Fantasy Football Running Backs: Broncos RB RJ Harvey...)
- 2026-06-05 — Biggest Running Back Training Camp Battles For 2026 Fantasy Football (Biggest Running Back Training Camp Battles For 2026 Fantasy Football)
- 2026-05-14 — Should You Draft Jaylen Warren or Rico Dowdle in 2026 Fantasy Football Leagues? (Should You Draft Jaylen Warren or Rico Dowdle in 2026 Fantasy Football Leagues?)
- 2026-05-18 — Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026) (Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (2026))
Open Questions
- Which team will sign Harris, and what role will he fill in 2026?
- Can Harris return to form after Achilles injury, or will his explosiveness remain diminished?
- Will Harris sign before or during training camp once team attrition clarifies depth chart needs?