2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Damien Harris

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers of the Clemson Tigers defends in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers of the Clemson Tigers defends in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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Damien Harris
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigersin the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Damien Harris has been a major contributor in the Alabama backfield the past 3 years, but does his skill-set translate to the NFL?

Name: Damien Harris

School: Alabama

Position: RB

Projected Draft Position: 3rd round

Harris is a classic one-cut back who uses ideal mental processing to read his keys and find a hole to burst through. He finishes runs with malice and does not back down from contact from opposing defenders. His biggest questions lie in his athletic ability and third down prowess, and both issues could limit his success at the next level. Given time, he should be able to develop into a solid starting running back with a high floor but low ceiling.

Opinions have been varied on Harris and The Draft Network crew has exhibited that with TDN’s Benjamin Solak having him as his 2nd ranked running back overall and TDN’s Kyle Crabbs having Harris as his 6th overall ranked running back. Solak claims that Harris is “decisive and intentional in picking up positive yardage” but “lacks agility in open-field to make defenders miss”. Overall, he’s viewed as a quality back but potentially made a mistake not turning pro after the 2017 season.