After playing his first four NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, Najee Harris signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this offseason. Harris suffered an eye injury after a 4th of July incident this offseason, but by all accounts, he will be ready for the season. He finished as RB20 in DraftKings fantasy scoring last season with 213.6 FPTS. Harris led the Steelers in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns in 2024, but will likely take a step back from that kind of role in 2025.
The Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Hampton will likely take the bulk of the carries at some point this season due to where he was drafted. Harris will likely take a significant step back from the 263 carries he received a season ago, which will only hurt his potential in fantasy football. Harris’ stock in 2025 could take a nose dive from where it was a season ago.
Not only will the competition this season put him down the pecking order, but 2024 wasn’t anything special from Harris. His four yards per carry was down from the season prior in 2023. Despite getting the bulk of the carries in Pittsburgh, both Jaylen Warren (4.3) and Cordarrelle Patterson (4.2) averaged more yards per carry.
It’s unknown how Omarion Hampton will adapt to the NFL, but he’s the clear frontrunner for the starting job and bulk of the carries. He’s a first round pick and is getting reps with the number ones in training camp while Harris is sidelined. I would avoid drafting Harris in 2025, unless you are taking him as a handcuff with Hampton. Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons, but 2025 will likely be the year when that streak comes to an end.
I expect Harris to do his fair share in this offense, but unless the Chargers go by committee, we could be looking at a situation where he turns into the third-down back.
