In the 2021 NFL draft, Najee Harris was selected 24th overall. He was the first running back selected.
Harris reportedly ran an unofficial time of 4.45 seconds while at Alabama. This time was not at a combine or pro day, so it was likely timed manually.
When a player cannot run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, they often run it at their college’s pro day.
The NFL combine for 2021 was cancelled due to the pandemic, so Najee Harris was unable to run the forty-yard dash. Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle also did not have official 40 times.
An ankle injury prevented Najee Harris from running the forty-yard dash at Alabama’s pro day, which resulted in him not having an official forty yard dash time.
A source told Touchdown Alabama Magazine that Najee Harris ran a 4.45 forty yard dash during his time at Alabama.
The fact that this 40 time is unofficial makes a big difference. At the NFL combine players are measured with lasers in the forty-yard dash.
The time starts when a player crosses through a laser, and the clock stops when they cross through another laser.
In this way, the time it takes a player to run forty yards can be measured extremely accurately.
A stopwatch is used when doing an unofficial forty-yard dash. Once the player begins the drill, the drill ends when they cross forty yards.
The human reaction time is the problem with hand timing. The timer may believe he started the watch on time, but it will take them a few milliseconds to respond.
In the forty-yard dash, these few milliseconds can have a huge impact on a player’s time.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Najee Harris’ Pre-draft
Analysts have a list of strengths and weaknesses they believe the player has as he enters the draft. Once the player has spent some time in the NFL, it can be interesting to review these predictions.
Pre-Draft Strengths
“Violent finisher who is ready to thump when challenged”
He was happy to take on defenders anywhere on the field during his college career.
In the NFL, Najee frequently initiates contact with defensive players and often requires several defenders to bring him down.
“Rarely fumbles”
It would have been impossible for Najee Harris to have been more accurate if it weren’t for the fact that he did not fumble the ball once in his rookie season.
In addition to being impressive for a rookie, it was also the most touches without a fumble in a season.
Pre Draft Weaknesses
“Lacks speed to threaten for the big play”
It was Najee’s weakness going into the draft that he didn’t have breakaway speed. Though he often outpaced linebackers and defensive linemen, he usually couldn’t make it past defensive backs.
In his first year in the NFL, Najee was unable to generate many long runs.
Here are Najee Harris’ 40 times. To learn about some other top players, check out Russel Wilson’s 40 times or Lamar Jackson’s.