The Patriots need someone to step up as the team’s No. 2 running back behind budding star Rhamondre Stevenson.
Much of the talk in New England has been about big name veteran free agent options for the role such as Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette or, most recently, Ezekiel Elliot.
Maybe, though, the answer to the Patriots’ post-Damien Harris running back needs is already on the roster.
With Stevenson not taking part in Monday’s first full-pads training camp practice of the summer it was second-year former sixth-round pick Kevin Harris taking center stage in the backfield.
The 5-10, 225-pounder played just five games with one start as a rookie, recording a mere 18 carries for 52 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown. That came after he was cut at the end of training camp last summer and spent time on the practice squad.
Now, after a minimal role as a rookie and offseason spent working on his speed and pass-catching ability, Harris is vying with fellow second-year player Pierre Strong Jr. for a backup role on the team’s young, thin running back depth chart.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Harris said of his reps with Stevenson out of the practice mix. “Just to get better at knowing the plays. Because he gets certain plays. Now he’s not in, we all get the plays. So you have to know what to do.”
Harris seemed to do just that, including a touchdown run on the first 11-on-11 goal line drill of camp. Speaking with reporters after practice he said his mentality on that a play was the same at always is on the goal line.
“Score,” Harris said. “Get in.”
Harris has impressed some of his veteran defensive teammates, including run-stuffing defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.
“Big, strong guy,” Godchaux said. “Big, strong, physical guy.
He has very powerful legs. And once he gets his opportunity, like everybody on the team, you have to take advantage of it because there are only so many opportunities you are going to get out here playing football. And when you get those opportunities you want to take full advantage.”
Harris said he’s been “working real hard” to be ready for his chances this summer and the young back’s work in the passing game has already paid practice field dividends. He’s caught the ball well through five practice sessions and was proud of a post-snap adjustment he made against a blitz during Sunday’s workout that led to an easy touchdown throw for Mac Jones.
While he may seem a bit overlooked these days in New England, Harris proved in college he was more than capable of being a workhorse at a high level. He led the SEC in rushing at South Carolina in 2020 with 1,138 yards. He earned All-SEC honors that season, which included five 100-yard rushing efforts and a pair of 200-yard games.
So while he may have had a pretty non-descript rookie season and may not be the big-name veteran option some fans are lusting after to add depth to the Patriots running game, Harris just might be the guy most ready and capable of serving as Stevenson’s understudy. He certainly wouldn’t be the first young Patriots back to have a quiet rookie season followed by a big sophomore campaign.
Harris clearly won’t fail to win a roster spot and a role with the 2023 Patriots due to a lack of self-belief.
“A lot of confidence in myself and playing football in general,” Harris said after his impressive effort during the Patriots’ first padded practice of the summer. “I’ve been doing it since I was 5.”
The way he looked on Monday, there’s no reason for New England’s big, young running back to start doubting himself now.