Damien Harris (RB, NE) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED: 31% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Damien Harris started the season stuck in the Injured Reserve and virtually every fantasy GM forgot about him. That, added to the headache that New England's backfield often is (how many players can share that thing!?), kept Harris rostership down to 30%... until this week. That mark is going to reach sky-high levels by tomorrow when WW claims are processed.

Truth be told, it will make all of the sense because 1) Harris was the best Pats rushing-tailback in W4, 2) Sony Michel was just sent to IR (out until W8), and 3) Cam Newton (definitely a threat for every rusher given his tendency to run with the ball) is most probably out for at least another week.

In his first game of the season this past Monday, Harris rushed for a rounded 100 yards on 17 carries. Only Sony Michel (13.0) has logged a higher Y/C mark on the ground this season for the Pats while attempting at least 9 runs. Harris averaged 5.9 on twice those rushing attempts, finishing with 10 PPR points, all on the ground.

That is the thing with Harris, though. He's a pure-rusher, and the passing game will favor the likes of James White and Rex Burkhead over him. He'll still be very valuable in an offense that favors the run over the pass, but forget about Harris pass-catching upside.

All things considered, Harris will replace Sony Michel as the RB1 of the offense, and that alone makes him a target for virtually every league fantasy GM, no matter the depth. Make sure to acquire Harris, even though next weekend's matchup against the Broncos could be the toughest of his season (Denver ranks 4th in preventing fantasy points from the RB position).

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