New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris rushed eight times for 22 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. In the passing game, he hauled in one of three targets for an additional six yards through the air. Harris is heading into his third pro season, but he's still just 23 years old. Rumors out of Patriots training camp suggest that Harris has out-performed JaMycal Hasty, putting him in line to open 2024 as the No. 3 running back. Nevertheless, he won't be a reliable contributor during the regular season. He can be avoided in fantasy football.
New England Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are locked in as the 1-2 punch in New England's backfield, but it's anyone's guess what will happen behind those two. Kevin Harris has been repping as the RB3 during early training camp practices, but the competition for the RB3 role will be decided in preseason games, where Harris, JaMycal Hasty and undrafted rookies Terrell Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick will likely get most of the snaps. Harris, 23, has had a small role in the Patriots' offense in his first two years in the league, combining for just 34 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns while adding three catches for 58 yards last year. The former sixth-rounder likely has the leg up on the RB3 role, but unless an injury occurs to Stevenson or Gibson, he belongs on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
Kevin Harris Breaks Off Big Reception Against Bills
New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris rushed for 15 yards on two carries during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also caught both of his targets for an additional 54 yards through the air. Most of his production came from a short pass that Harris ultimately took 48 yards down the field, putting New England in the red zone and setting up a Bailey Zappe rushing touchdown. With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) sidelined, the second-year back is averaging five touches per game since Week 15. However, he remains off the fantasy radar in most redraft formats.
New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris rushed four times for 25 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. His score came from 18 yards out. The 23-year-old made his season debut on Sunday with Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) inactive for the second consecutive week. While Ezekiel Elliott was the Patriots' clear No. 1 running back, Harris did get some opportunities late in the game and impressed with his physical touchdown run. He appears to have earned additional snaps heading into Week 16 versus the Broncos, assuming Stevenson remains sidelined. With that said, Harris is off the fantasy radar.
Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery Sign With New England Practice Squad
The New England Patriots signed running backs Kevin Harris and Ty Montgomery to their practice squad on Wednesday. Harris and Montgomery were both released on Tuesday as the Patriots made their preliminary roster cut-downs but are back in the fold to back up Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. That being said, they would need injuries in front of them to earn a role in the team's backfield, leaving both Harris and Montgomery safe to avoid in most redraft fantasy leagues.
The New England Patriots released running backs Ty Montgomery and Kevin Harris on Tuesday to cut their roster down to 53 players by the deadline. The Patriots also cut J.J. Taylor, leaving just lead back Rhamondre Stevenson and former Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott on the current 53-man roster. New England surely won't go into the 2023 regular season with only two running backs available to them, and there's a good chance that one or two of Montgomery, Harris or Taylor will return to the organization. The Patriots also recently traded Pierre Strong Jr. to the Cleveland Browns.
Pierre Strong Jr. Works Behind Kevin Harris, Logs 44 Total Yards
New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed for 31 yards on eight attempts while catching both targets for 13 yards in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. He entered the game after Kevin Harris but had three more touches in the preseason finale. The 24-year-old was in concussion protocol for 10 days before returning to practice on Tuesday. Strong is competing with Harris, J.J. Taylor, and Ty Montgomery for a spot on the Patriots running back depth chart behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. Strong was among the few bright spots for New England in the preseason finale but will only be on the fantasy radar if he can secure the Patriots' RB3 gig.
Kevin Harris Finds The End Zone In Preseason Loss To Titans
New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris rushed for 17 yards on seven attempts in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. He drew the start in the preseason finale with both Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott rested. The 22-year-old had a five-yard touchdown run for New England's only score of the game. Harris is competing with Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, and Ty Montgomery for a spot on the Patriots running back depth chart behind Stevenson and Elliott. The South Carolina product is only on the fantasy radar if Stevenson or Elliott misses time.
Kevin Harris Logs Eight Rushing Attempts In Preseason Opener
New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris rushed for 10 yards on eight attempts in Thursday's 20-9 preseason loss to the Houston Texans. The 22-year-old led the team in rushing attempts but didn't do much damage on the ground, averaging just 1.9 yards per carry. New England rotated Pierre Strong Jr. and Harris by drive, with Strong getting the first crack on the team's first offensive possession. Harris is competing with Strong, J.J. Taylor, and Ty Montgomery for New England's backup running back spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson. The South Carolina product had 18 carries for 52 yards and a score over five games in 2022. If Harris can win New England's RB2 gig, he could be worth a late-round flier as a handcuff to Stevenson.
Kevin Harris Could Be Breakout Candidate In Second Season
New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris, a sixth-round pick in 2022, only had 18 rushing attempts in his rookie season last year, with 13 carries coming in Weeks 14 and 15 when the team's backfield was depleted due to injuries. The 225-pound back is a powerful runner capable of finishing runs and breaking tackles with adequate contact balance, and he looked more explosive in offseason practices as a receiver during pass-heavy practices, which could translate into the team's downhill run schemes that are expected to return in 2023. The Patriots have a long lineage of power backs succeeding in their offense, but Harris will be battling for playing time alongside Pierre Strong Jr. and Ty Montgomery. He'll probably only become fantasy relevant if Rhamondre Stevenson misses time with an injury.
Kevin Harris
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Patriots
