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2019 NFL Draft: Top 5 dynasty league running backs

By Nicholas McGee

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks away from linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders while rising for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks away from linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders while rising for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dives for the end zone against the Clemson Tigers in 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)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dives for the end zone against the Clemson Tigers in 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) /

4. Damien Harris – New England Patriots

Like with Henderson it’s unclear what role Harris will initially have, but the early word is it could be quite a prominent one.

With last year’s first-round pick Sony Michel recovering from a knee scope, Harris has impressed in offseason practices and reports suggest he could challenge Michel for early-down work as a rookie.

New England was committed to the ground game during the run to a sixth Lombardi Trophy last year, so there is little doubt the Patriots will lean heavily on their backs. However, it is unlikely to be obvious which runners will get the most work on a given week due to the depth they have at the position and Belichick’s tendency for significant rotation.

That unpredictably is an issue that has confounded fantasy owners for a long time but should not lead dynasty owners to shy away from Harris.

Though it is not advisable to rely on him to produce on a weekly basis as a rookie, he clearly will be used regularly enough to put up fantasy points. And, with James White and Rex Burkhead both free agents after the 2020 season, there is an obvious path to Harris and Michel becoming the clear top two options in New England’s backfield.

There is little risk to drafting Harris and it is move that could pay huge dividends if he emerges and becomes a key piece in the backfield for the Patriots.

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