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Dynasty Faceoff: Najee Harris vs. D’Andre Swift

- by Aaron Schill

najee-harris-vs-dandre-swift

For the avid dynasty football fan, there literally is no offseason. The offseason brings time to evaluate rosters, consider and make trades, dig in on the draft prep and get ready for the rookie drafts happening in late spring and into summer. Many dynasty managers would argue that the offseason is even more fun than the regular season is. With so many players and roster decisions to consider, we will be breaking down some players with similar value and ADP. Check this one out in Dynasty Faceoff: Najee Harris vs. D’Andre Swift.

Which side do you fall on in these popular player debates for 2022 and beyond? Let us know in the comments or on social media which side you are taking and why.

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Najee Harris

Brendan O’Bryan (@OBryanBren):

Looking at two talented young running backs between Najee Harris and D’Andre Swift, I would slightly lean towards Harris. Both are dynamic backs that catch the ball well and can take it to the house on any play. However, Swift has shown to have an injury risk missing multiple games in his two seasons in the NFL. Harris also is a more prototypical lead back in Pittsburgh receiving 307 touches to Swift’s 151. He was also targeted 94 times in the passing game to Swift’s 78. More opportunity means more chance for success. For that reason, I’d rather have Harris.

Tyler Posey (@coachtposey):

In my current dynasty rankings, I have Harris at RB4 and Swift at RB7. Both are talented backs, but I slightly prefer Harris. Harris has less competition for touches and the Steelers have shown the willingness to give him just about every single touch at the running back position. In his first season, Harris handled 307 carries with an additional 74 receptions. The situation with the offensive line and unknown at the quarterback position is cause for concern, but I still prefer Harris for his volume as a true workhouse three down back.

Stephen Brownholtz (@sbrownholtz1):

Both of these players are fantastic, so there is really no wrong answer. I would lean Harris in this debate due to the fact that Mike Tomlin has no issues giving him 300+ touches. With Roethlisberger retiring, it is most likely that the Steelers will have a young quarterback under center in 2022. While this could hurt Harris’s opportunities for touchdowns, it also will surely put him in control of moving the offense. The Steelers want to run the football and Harris is their guy. He might not have those explosive games that Swift might have, but Harris will be one of the most consistent running backs in fantasy next season. Opportunity is king in fantasy and Harris might have more opportunities than anyone else in 2022. 

D’Andre Swift

Ryan Kirksey (@KirkseySports): 

Trying to compare two young backs in offenses led by Roethlisberger and Jared Goff feels gross. But while Harris is stuck on a team that might have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins competing for the quarterback gig, at least Swift gets some stability with Goff and Dan Campbell in an offense that should be tailored around his skill set. Yes, Harris played all the snaps and got all the targets, and Swift has to deal with Jamaal Williams. But the Steelers’ offense was so inefficient, Harris ranked only 53rd among running backs in fantasy points per opportunity. Swift was 25th. Harris has to have the volume in that offense while Swift is more economical with his touches. Swift was the number two running back with 4.08 yards created per touch. Harris? Just 30th. Add in the fact that the Steelers were just 31st in the league in rush rate in 2021 and this is an easy Swift call for me.

Ryan Miner (@RyanMiner_FFB):

Going into 2021 fantasy drafts I had Swift ranked at 9th and Harris at 12th. These running backs are super talented and are really a flip of a coin, but I am landing on Swift. Sure, he has been injured over the last couple of seasons, but you see what is there. Offensive Coordinator Anthony Lynn was holding back Swift and what he could do for the Detroit Lions both in the rushing and passing game. Once Lynn was relieved of play-calling duties and Head Coach Dan Campbell took over, the Swift we all wanted to see was there as he exploded against Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He was injured early in the Thanksgiving game against Chicago and didn’t perform the same to end the season. Going into the 2022 season, Swift will be returning at full health and a new offensive coordinator who should put the ball in Swift’s hands early and often. Harris on the other hand, who knows what this team will look like. Too many question marks at quarterback and the offense in general as the Detroit Lions have a top-10 offensive line and are building correctly compared to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Better offense going into 2022 and a running back you can get in the third round of start of the 3rd round? Yes, please!

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