Dynasty League – Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft
By Raju Byfield
1.11 – Damien Harris (RB – New England Patriots)
No player has seen his dynasty stock rise in the months after the NFL Draft more than New England Patriot running back Damien Harris. Expected to be playing behind both Sony Michel and James White, Harris may now have a crack at the starting role. Michel is the superior talent as a runner, but Harris is the most complete back on the roster.
With Sony Michel beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Harris will get his chance to impress upon the coaching staff as to why he may be the better fit for the teams starting role. The Patriots indeed have an embarrassment of riches at the position. While most saw the Harris selection as a head-scratching luxury pick, perhaps the Patriots had reason to be concerned about Michel’s recurring injury issues.
Harris currently looks like a no brainer pick late in the first round of dynasty rookie drafts. As alluded to above his dynasty stock has skyrocketed in the weeks since the NFL Draft as he now appears to have a chance to compete for the starting role.
As talented as Michel is, Harris is a very talented back in his own right. He has a proven ability to function at a high level in a timeshare and should still be able to generate standalone value if he fails to win the starting role. Think of Harris as a high end RB3 with RB1 upside in the event of a Sony Michel injury. As the starter with a healthy Sony, he is more of a RB2 who could see an inconsistent, but healthy amount of weekly touches.