The Chargers have added some power in the backfield since the New League Year began.
The Bolts agreed to terms with running back Najee Harris on Wednesday, bringing in one of the most consistent and reliable running backs from the last four seasons to Los Angeles.
Harris comes to the Chargers as the only active player to have at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last four seasons and has not missed a game so far in his career.
The former Pro Bowler also had 1,326 yards from scrimmage in 2024, the most he's had since his rookie year.
Count The Athletic's Mike Jones as one of the biggest supporters of the move, as he gave the acquisition an ‘A grade.’
Jones wrote:
[Harris is] as consistent as they come: He's delivered four straight 1,000-yard seasons and has never missed a start. Harris should thrive in Jim Harbaugh's run-first system and behind a line the Chargers have invested in heavily.
Harris has more touches than any player in the NFL since the start of the 2021 season (1,277), and been secure with the football with just five fumbles, including two seasons with zero fumbles.
And given Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Offensive Coordinator's Greg Roman's philosophy about wanting to be a more powerful running team, Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is on board with the move by giving it an ‘A- grade.'
Iyer wrote:
A power back more in line with the scheme of Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh.
Harris, at 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, is a powerful runner as he forced 70 missed tackles last season, 12th-most in NFL. He also had 838 yards after contact, good for 10th most in the NFL according to Next Gen Stats.
His style of running and physicality is why Bleacher Report's Moe Moton gave the move a ‘B+-grade’ and believes Harris could be in line for big things in the powder blue.
Moe Moton wrote:
He's a bruising, big-bodied ball-carrier who tied for eighth in broken tackles (22) last season… The 27-year-old could have one of his best campaigns under Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who has a history of relying on the run game. The Chargers ranked 11th in rush attempts last year, with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards combining for 296 carries.
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