3 Patriots players who need to finish the 2023 season strong

There are just two games left on the Patriots' horrendous 2023 season; who needs to show up big in the next ten days?

Several players will need to finish the year strong to keep their spot on the roster for next season or increase their chances of being extended. It's apparent the team is still wanting to compete, but these three players in particular need to outshine all others to keep their jobs.

Kevin Harris 

Usually, the players who need to perform at the end of the season are ones who could be looking to move to greener pastures. But that’s not necessarily the case here. Harris needs a big two weeks for New England because he might be the only healthy Patriots running back this week.

Rhamondre Stevenson is obviously on IR, but Ezekiel Elliott missed practice on Thursday with an illness. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is on the practice squad and presumably will be called up if Elliott doesn’t recover. 

Harris has only started one regular season game in his two seasons in New England. But he has scored two rushing touchdowns. He’s only had 29 touches in the nine games he’s been involved in, averaging just 3.4 yards per touch across his very young career. It doesn’t seem likely Elliott will be back in 2024, so if Harris can step up in the next two games, he’ll be Stevenson’s backup in 2024.