What To Expect From Damien Harris Rookie Season?

Do you think it’s possible he gets “redshirted” in a sense this year?

Think about Shane Vereen and James White’s rookie seasons.

Neither had hardly any production in their rookie seasons. In Vereen’s case, he was stuck behind in the depth chart behind Woodhead, Kevin Faulk, BJGE, and Ridley. Then the next offseason Faulk retired and Benjarvus would leave to Cincy, which then opened up an opportunity for him to crack the rotation. In James White’s case, he essentially took over some of Vereen’s receiving reps in 2015 as soon as he left, and really became a more consistent presence once Dion Lewis went down midseason.

Obviously Rex Burkhead’s injury history is well documented, so he could move up in the depth chart quickly here. But don’t be surprised if Harris does not produce much in his rookie season.

2000 yards and 20 TDS. Anything less is a disappointment.

I just hope he answers the bell when called. The Patriots rotate backs so he'll get his chances. Rex didn't blow me out of the water last year when he actually played.

If everyone stays healthy and he gets just the clean up keep guys fresh reps, figure 10 touches a game, 4 yards a touch, couple of TDs, so stat line looking like 100 attempts 400 yards 30 catches 250 yards 3 TDS. Solid but not spectacular while keeping wear and tear down. If Sony goes down he assumes the lead back role of 15-25 touches a game and those numbers go up.

I think they drafted Harris for Michael and Burkhead insurance. But Burkhead knows he can’t get injured again as Harris getting a chance and playing well would make him expendable after this season.

I was a big Jeremy Hill supporter last season, but it doesn’t look like he’ll make the team with the drafting of Harris.

primetime said:

Rex didn't blow me out of the water last year when he actually played.

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I’ve been a Rex hater, but he had some clutch runs in the playoffs.

I think there’s enough depth at RB that he won’t see much action regularly unless there are injuries. But he may get a surprising amount of goal line carries if he shows good ball security.

TheRainMaker said:

I’ve been a Rex hater, but he had some clutch runs in the playoffs.

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I actually haven't been and was excited for him to be healthy but aside from like three or four carries he was like a 2 yards per carry guy. The touchdown runs against the Chiefs were great and the big game-killer against the Rams but man he look dead-legged on all but a handful of carries last season.

Harris has a lot to prove to break in with this group but coming from Bama I think he should be fairly NFL ready. I don't expect a huge role at first but if he can offer something a little different than the others then maybe it can be an important 1 (thinking goaline).

I watch a lot of 'Bama games so I'm very familiar with Harris. Folks on this board are going to be very surprised at how could a football player we got in him. He's a complete back. He's an adult. Very mature and smart.
He has the ability to be a highly successful feature back. We won't use him that way but he will force the issue and will be far more involved than we expect, regardless of the RB's positions' level of health.
You guys are gonna love this kid!

I won’t crap on Burkhead because he had a pretty good playoffs and earned a pass from me.

But if I were him I wouldn’t be buying a house in the Boston area.

Harris will be a healthy scratch most of this year until injuries start to play a role (and they will... they always do with RBs).

While Burkhead doesn't get a lot of love when healthy he is productive and has a role. Last year he just couldn't get healthy and never looked right. The 2 years before he was better and I expect him to bounce back a bit. He also has a better ability to catch passes compared to Harris right now.

I do think at some point Harris will come in and take over that role from Rex and not give it back, but i'm not expecting that week 1. As far as how good he will be that depends entirely on his ability to catch the ball. He stepped it up last year and that hopefully continues. A pass catching back who can also run is one of the hardest things to deal with in the NFL. It is so valuable in today's game and puts so much pressure on the defense.

I’m expecting Harris to be given more opportunities as the year progresses. Situational football will help to dictate how often he sees the field.

Second half time/blowout time/etc at first, but then thrown in the mix as the season progresses and he handles his responsibilities.

Just taking it one rep at a time. We'll see how he does. Hope he can become the most dynamic back on the team.

Everyone knows I love Da Burkmeister. However, he hasn’t been healthy. When healthy, his potential is there. He obviously showed that he could run between the tackles during his tenure in CIN, but I was more intrigued by his ability to flex out as a WR and win on options routes. That’s where I’d thought he’d kill it in NE, but to no avail (yet). See the play vs NO in 2017. We shall see...again..

That being said, I’m really rooting for D. Harris!



Disclaimer: I am not disrespecting Da Burkmeister.

All four are going to be important: White and Burkhead as Swiss Army knife players, because both will play at times, and Michel and now Harris as core runners. We got lucky with Michel's knee last year and hopefully will continue to, but getting a solid core back to compliment him was essential this off season.

supafly said:

I’m expecting Harris to be given more opportunities as the year progresses. Situational football will help to dictate how often he sees the field.

Second half time/blowout time/etc at first, but then thrown in the mix as the season progresses and he handles his responsibilities.

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Exactly. Depending how he picks things up he might get 5-10 carries early in the season. If he doesn't he's sitting.

It really wouldn't take much to improve on Burkhead's role in the run game, so I think he has a real shot to be 2nd in rushing yards after Michel.

betterthanthealternative said:

All four are going to be important: White and Burkhead as Swiss Army knife players, because both will play at times, and Michel and now Harris as core runners. We got lucky with Michel's knee last year and hopefully will continue to, but getting a solid core back to compliment him was essential this off season.

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agreed I'm surprised that others were surprised we picked a RB.

It all depends on him passing MY tests

I think Harris probably gets around 100 carries and 400+ yards, 3-5 tds. That keeps Michel fresh. Anything happens to Michel (God forbid), those number go up.

I hope we aren't seeing history repeat itself. I'm an old timer, so I remember a similar situation, in 1980, we had a flashy 1st round back named Vegas Ferguson, who had an excellent rookie season (800+ yards rushing).

In 1981, he got injured, and rookie RB Tony Collins (a 2nd round pick) took over, and was the main back until Craig James joined the team in 1984 I believe. Collins became a great receiving back after James joined the team.