Najee Harris

Rookie Omarion Hampton was named the Week 1 starter over Harris and showed elite ability before his own injury. Hampton is the clear long-term centerpiece, with Kimani Vidal also performing well.

Omarion Hampton was named the starting RB over Harris, and Hampton is an explosive power runner with enough talent to keep Harris on the sidelines, with 3,164 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns over his final two years in college. The depth chart shows Hampton dramatically outvalues Harris.

Harris signed a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million ($5.25M base, $1.5M guaranteed, $4M in rushing yard incentives). The incentive-heavy structure and one-year nature reflect no long-term commitment, and his current IR status makes those incentives unlikely to be reached.

Harris tore his Achilles in Week 3 of the 2025 season, ending his Chargers tenure after just 3 games. Achilles tears are among the most damaging injuries for RBs, frequently eroding the speed and explosion that define the position — especially devastating at age 28+.

Harris tore his Achilles in Week 3 of the 2025 season and is still recovering as of April 2026. Torn Achilles injuries at age 28 at the RB position carry serious re-injury risk and typically result in permanent loss of burst and explosion even after return.

If Harris emerges as LAC's primary RB and goal-line back, he could provide solid short-term value for the next 1-2 seasons before age decline accelerates.

Harris could sign a cheap veteran minimum contract with a team needing RB depth for 2026 training camp, though his recovery timeline (9-12 months from September 2025) makes even that uncertain. Best-case scenario is a backup role in 2026.

Harris's agent has publicized impressive rehab footage showing him running at 15 mph on a treadmill roughly six months post-Achilles, which may attract a team seeking veteran cheap depth. This provides a narrow floor-level upside as a minimum-deal backup.

If Harris lands on a roster and the lead back suffers an injury, he could receive a 2-4 week window of meaningful carries. This is a low-probability, short-duration event but the only realistic path to in-season dynasty relevance.

A few thin backfields remain (Seattle lost Zach Charbonnet to a torn ACL); the right landing spot could hand him short-term standalone/flex value in 2026.

Cheap one-year prove-it deal means a signing team has little reason not to lean on him early-down if he's healthy and the depth chart is bare.