Kevin

Harris

Harris added a four-yard reception. The closest thing the Pats had to a No. 3 running back this season, Harris still mustered just 19 touches, all 19 of which came following Rhamondre Stevenson’s season-ending injury. The fact that coach Bill Belichick turned the keys over to washed veteran Ezekiel Elliott does not speak well to Harris’ NFL future, though he is still just 23 years old. With Belichick seemingly on the way out, Harris will be fighting for a 53-man roster spot under a different coach next season.

With Damien Harris (thigh) sidelined and Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) ailing, Harris actually got the “start,” but Stevenson ended up playing and dominating. Pierre Strong operated as the No. 2 change-of-pace, making Harris’ opening-series presence a misnomer. With Damien likely back for Week 16 against the Bengals, there isn’t much reason to keep Kevin around in 12-team leagues.

The plodding rookie saw the first few carries following the departure of Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson briefly left the contest to get his ankle tended to, returned for one drive, and ultimately left the game for good before half. Although Stevenson’s ankle could preclude him from game action on a short week, the Patriots could get Damien Harris back from a thigh injury, likely rendering the rookie of little fantasy value in Week 15.

Harris isn’t needed with both Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris healthy for this game. The Patriots head into Thanksgiving night relatively healthy for their showdown with the Vikings.

Now this, this is a move that strongly says “Damien Harris won’t be back soon.” Harris was a sixth-round pick in last April’s draft by New England, but was waived at last cuts and latched on to the practice squad. He has a chance to be active on Sunday, but Pierre Strong is probably in front of him to spell Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Patriots don’t have room for all their running backs to make the team, and Harris is the odd man out at the moment. Drafted in the sixth round back in April, Harris rushed 13 times for 80 yards and one touchdown this preseason but was extremely quiet before the exhibition finale. Perhaps he’ll be back with the Patriots on the practice squad.

White never advanced beyond on-field drills at minicamp. The Patriots have depth to play it slow with White, making it possible the 30-year-old won’t be cleared for training camp next month. Short-term IR could also be an option for White, costing him four games instead of the six he would miss on PUP.

With White limited at OTAs, the Patriots got an extended look at Strong and sixth-round RB Kevin Harris. Strong was known for his blocking at South Dakota State, where he was used as a lead blocker on quarterback runs, and had 22 catches his senior year. The Patriots drafted Strong two rounds higher than Harris, giving Strong the edge for snaps if White misses time. White landing on reserve/PUP would improve third-year RB J.J. Taylor’s roster chances.

Harris (5'10/221) broke out with 1,297 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns in 2020, earning a second-team All-SEC spot. Likely limited after offseason back surgery, Harris took a step back last year but still led the team in rushing with 660 yards. Harris shined with a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-6 broad jump at the Combine, but he was only able to muster a 4.62 40 at his Pro Day. Speed is definitely not his calling card, but he is patient with good vision and showed the balance and power to shake off tacklers and create yards when healthy in 2020. It is unlikely he is ever a three-down workhorse, but if he can recover that 2020 form, he could end up being a steal in the sixth round. He could form a 2023 committee with Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong if the Patriots let contract year runner Damien Harris walk.

Although he didn’t run the 40, Harris (5'10/225) put some good numbers in the other athletic testing -- He did 21 reps on the bench press, 38.5-inch vertical leap, and a 10-foot-6 broad jump. Harris is known more as a short-yardage back who’s good in between the tackles, so his ability to show that explosiveness should have some teams interested.