Damien Harris

After barely seeing the field as a rookie, Harris had his sophomore NFL campaign bookended by three-game absences due to finger and ankle injuries. For the 10 games in between, he was a solid addition to the New England backfield, posting three 100-yard rushing games and averaging five yards per carry in an offense that gave defenses little reason to worry about the passing game. Harris' best asset is his versatility. He's a patient runner with the power and balance to make his way through traffic, and while James White's presence gave him few opportunities to show it, Harris' college resume suggests he could handle third downs in a pinch. He doesn't have breakaway speed, meaning he needs volume to make an impact rather than being a threat to go the distance with every touch. With Sony Michel having been traded to the Rams, Harris has a chance to be the team's clear-cut option on running downs. Meanwhile, White remains entrenched as the team's top pass-catching/change-of-pace option, with power back Rhamondre Stevenson poised to serve as a complement/backup to Harris when it comes to early-down work, and 5-foot-6, 185-pound J.J. Taylor potentially mixing in as well. Though Stevenson impressed during the preseason, the Patriots have in the past tended to ease rookie backs into the mix, so with Michel -- who had been in line to see his share of touches in tandem with Harris -- out of the picture, added opportunities are now available for Harris in what could be a run-heavy attack helmed by rookie QB Mac Jones. Read Past Outlooks