Damien Harris the 'sure-fire No. 1 option' in Patriots' backfield
FantasyPros
Jul 14
According to ESPN Patriots Analyst Mike Reiss, Damien Harris enters the 2021 season as the "sure-fire No. 1 option" in the Patriots' backfield. (Source: ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Head coach Bill Belichick said recently, "[Harris] is off to a really good start in preparation for the season." Back at the end of June, Belichick talked extensively about Harris' work ethic, stating, "Damien works extremely hard at all phases -- certainly his conditioning and training, running game, passing game, protection, route running, catching the ball. He's got a lot of skill and he can contribute in a variety of ways, and he's looking to upgrade where he is in every area." Belichick doesn't normally open up like this, so to hear him speak so highly of a player shouldn't go unnoticed. The Patriots also drafted Rhamondre Stevenson 120th overall this season, so expect him to get some work this season, possibly overtaking Sony Michel. James White returns for his eighth season with the Patriots, and his role as the pass-catching back is as solidified as ever. Harris averaged 13.7 rush attempts per game in 2020 playing on an average of just 40% of the snaps. Expect both his snap share and rush attempts per game to increase this season. He should be square in the low-end RB2 conversation in half-PPR leagues, but more of a high-end RB3 in PPR leagues due to the lack of work in the passing game. |
