Why Damien Harris is the huge fantasy football winner of Cam Newton getting cut
Big news here.
I was all set to write a longer post about what Cam Newton getting cut by the Patriots meant for the fantasy football world, especially for the players in New England.
But there’s really only one player we should discuss, and that’s Damien Harris.
The third-year running back is set to be the RB1 in New England, and while we could see a lot of James White as the pass-catching back once again with a sprinkling of rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, it felt clear Harris would get the majority of carries there.
What was less clear is the number of touchdowns he’d amass. He found paydirt just twice in 2020, and that was partially because Newton scored 12 times on the ground last season and added 592 rushing yards.
You do the math here. No Cam Newton, and guess who’s probably going to benefit in the red zone this season.
Damien Harris is the big winner here, friends. It’s happening. https://t.co/2CAC5ozoBr
— Andy Behrens (@andybehrens) August 31, 2021
Patriots carries within the 5 yard line last year
Cam Newton – 22
Rex Burkhead – 4
Damien Harris – 3
Sony Michel – 2
James White – 1Damien Harris goal line carries
Damien Harris touchdowns
Damien Harris fantasy value— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) August 31, 2021
Damien Harris won't do a lot in the passing game, but he'll see more goal-line work with Mac Jones under center. This is good news (on some level) for the fantasy value of just about every Patriots offensive skill player.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) August 31, 2021
Yup. That’s big news for Harris and for those looking his way in fantasy drafts.