Damien Harris labeled “biggest steal” of the draft by Nate Burleson
The NFL Network’s Nate Burleson didn’t hesitate in answering that new Patriots running back Damien Harris was the “biggest steal” of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots entered the 2019 NFL Draft with clear needs at wide receiver, tight end, defensive lineman, and offensive tackle. While they did take certain steps to plug some of those holes (N’Keal Harry, Yodny Cajuste, Chase Winovich), they also surprised a lot of people by drafting Alabama running back Damien Harris in the third round.
Harris was a phenomenal player for head coach Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide, and any NFL team would be lucky to have him. So it’s not as if the pick was a questionable one for the Patriots based off the player – it was simply eyebrow-raising because of their depth at the running back position already.
New England currently has Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden heading up their halfback crew. They also have veteran James Develin at fullback. All five players have seen meaningful playing time previously in Foxborough, so it’s not as if any one of them figures to be cut before the regular season starts.
Damien Harris’ addition, then, must be seen as an example of Bill Belichick being unable to pass up the opportunity to draft a player of his talent at the spot he fell to in the draft. Even if the Pats are loaded at running back in 2019 already, Harris was simply too good to let go to another team.
And according to at least one football expert – the NFL Network’s Nate Burleson – he’s also unequivocally the “biggest steal” of the entire draft.
“The biggest steal? The New England Patriots. Third-round pick Damien Harris, running back out of ‘Bama,” Burleson started off by saying on “Good Morning Football,” before plunging into a long and passionate explanation of his choice.
"“The fact that he averaged just over six yards per touch — the man gets busy. Loves the physical contact, can do it all. Five-foot-10, good weight on him, strong. And just in recent history when it comes to the New England Patriots and the running back, let’s go Super Bowl LIII versus the Rams. Eighteen carries, 94 yards, one TD — the only TD in that game came by who? Sony Michel. Let’s go two years prior, James White: 20 touches, 140 total yards and three TDs, plus the game-winning two-point conversion. Could’ve easily been the MVP. That’s a running back that was drafted. So for me, if the Patriots draft a running back you better go high alert. This individual is going to be a superstar. He’s going to make play after play after play, especially plays in the big moments, in the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl. Damien Harris, I see you. Great selection by the Patriots.”"
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Only time will tell if Burleson’s analysis proves to be on-point or off-base, but for now, he puts forth a pretty compelling argument in favor of the Harris selection. The Alabama running back certainly comes highly-touted out of college, and he enters a terrific pro environment now with a team that has an established winning culture – and one that loves to run the football.