On an otherwise barren Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Damien Harris could bring season-changing upside. This makes him worth No.1 Waiver Wire priorities, and 30% (more if you’re desperate) of your FAAB.
Fresh off the IR, Harris was sensational in his first 2020 action. He flashed power, elusiveness, and a nice second-gear all night while racking up 17 carries and 100 yards. All were on display here:
Damien Harris 41 yard run #GoPats pic.twitter.com/qpbJbJRkSu
— Roto Street Journal (@RotoStJournal) October 6, 2020
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This summer, the sophomore back’s hype train steamed ahead at a blistering pace. ESPN’s Mike Reiss labeled the starting role as Harris’ to lose. Greg Bedard joined 98.5 The Sports Hub and gushed:
“Harris has been sensational. Plays bigger than he is. He makes some cuts and his vision, I haven’t seen in some time.
“Certainly an upgrade over Sony Michel. And he is a dynamite pass-catcher out of the backfield. It’s very natural to him. He has been the clear Breakout Star of this camp and he is the No.1 running back by far this offseason.”
Unfortunately, a hand injury sent Harris to the IR and halted his takeover.
Yet, with Sony Michel now headed for his own IR stint (quad), Harris’ path to the “big back” is clear once more. If he strings together more efforts like Week 5, he may never relinquish the gig.
Harris fits the physical, ground-n-pound “identity” of the Cam Newton-led squad to perfection. He also has sneaky soft hands and offers more versatility than Michel ever could. Thus, Harris could drip in three-down upside.
Indeed, Harris must clear some hurdles. James White will remain the primary third-down back. Rex Burkhead may vulture. The Patriots can be impossible to decipher week-to-week.
Yet, as LeGarrette Blount‘s recent 16-TD performance shows, Bill will also ride a stallion when one separates. In one week, Harris already has begun doing so.
Especially if RB-needy (and who doesn’t need a shiny young stallion), unload the Fantasy Football FAAB Wallets for Harris. I wouldn’t hesitate to spend 30%, more if necessary, to secure him. Meanwhile, he’s worthy of blowing a No.1 Waiver Wire claim on.
Harris is the RB32 on our Rest of Season Rankings & Big Board, a whopping 22 spots higher than the ‘experts.’
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