Damien Harris

Overall Rank
RB
Height
5' 10"
Weight
216 lbs
BMI
31.0
(72nd)
Draft Pick
3.23
(2019)
College
Alabama
Age
27.6
Best Comparable Player
Devonta Freeman
Workout Metrics
4.57
56th
99.0
63rd
123.4
76th
16
21st
40-Yard Dash
Speed Score
Burst Score
Agility Score
Bench Press
14.7%
(18th)
College Dominator
6.6
(88th)
College YPC
5.3%
(31st)
College Target Share
Running Back Damien Harris Announces Retirement
6 months ago

The former Patriots and Bills tailback announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram Monday evening.

Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris—a former Alabama Crimson Tide standout and two-time national champion who also played for the New England Patriots—announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday. Harris posted a message on his Instagram account, saying, “I am grateful I have found the strength to walk away from the game I love so much,” adding that “playing football has been one of the greatest privileges in my life.”

 

Still just 27 years old, Harris played four seasons for the Patriots before signing with the Bills during the 2023 offseason. His 2023 campaign ended abruptly, though, as Harris was taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering a neck injury and a concussion in a Week 16 contest vs. the New York Giants. This injury likely factored into his decision to retire.

 

During his five-year career, Harris amassed 2,188 rushing yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He was an especially prolific runner during his time in New England, starting 34 of the 38 games he played. Furthermore, his best year came in 2021 with the Patriots, a season in which Harris rushed for 929 yards and a whopping 15 touchdowns to help lead the team to the playoffs during quarterback Mac Jones’ rookie season. Unfortunately, injuries and a reduced role have limited Harris to just 129 carries for 556 yards over the past two seasons.

 

While Harris wasn’t likely to factor much into Buffalo’s plans in 2024, his retirement further cemented James Cook’s status as the undisputed RB1 in the Queen City. Cook figures to garner fourth-round attention in 12-man fantasy leagues and projects as an even higher draft selection for dynasty managers. The former Georgia standout established himself as a three-down back and security blanket for quarterback Josh Allen. Ty Johnson and Darrynton Evans should have minor roles when Cook isn’t on the field.

 

 

 

Damien Harris Articles & Advice

Week 14 MNF Showdown: Patriots vs Cardinals

December 12, 2022
With Damien Harris doubtful (thigh) to play, Rhamondre Stevenson looks like a smash. In the three games without Harris, Stevenson has averaged a sizable 85-percent Snap Share. He converted those opportunities into RB2, RB9 and...
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The Infirmary Report: Post Week 12

November 28, 2022
This is the Infirmary Report: Post Week 12! The worst part of our beloved game is the frequency of injuries. It's an unfortunate byproduct of such a fast-paced, contact-heavy sport. It's something that is important...
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Week 7 MNF Showdown: Bears vs Patriots

October 24, 2022
The Bears pass defense has looked good on paper because their rush defense is a sieve. The Bears' defense ranks last in the league in Rushing Attempts (157) and Rushing Yards Allowed (737). Their lofty...
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James Cooks Set For "Large Portion" of Backfield
1 year ago

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen believes that RB James Cook is “going to take a large portion of the carries and in the pass game, he’s going to be kind of a dual threat guy for us”.

The Buffalo Bills enter 2023 with 265 vacated opportunities in their backfield following Nyheim Hines season-ending injury and the departures of Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, and Duke Johnson. Josh Allen has given his stamp of approval for James Cook to take the bulk of the reps. The 2nd-Round sophomore back out of Georgia has dominated as a receiver and a runner throughout the offseason but has struggled mightily in pass protection.

 

Buffalo signed former Patriots back Damien Harris to a 1-year deal just above the veteran minimum and signed Latavius Murray to the vet min to compete for the grinder-back touches between the tackles and in short-yardage situations. Expect to see plenty of James Cook between-the-20s and when Josh Allen decides to check it down.

 

What prevents Cook from becoming anything more than an RB2 is his 199lb frame. The 216lb Damien Harris and the 223lb Latavius Murray will be the ones getting the work inside the 5-yard line.