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Damien Harris

Michel surgery could be second-year back's opportunity

The risks of expecting too much from rookie running backs were discovered by those who took a late-round stab on Damien Harris a year ago. The third-rounder out of Alabama was only even active for two games, carrying 4 times for 12 yards. But maybe Year 2 will be different.

Starter Sony Michel had foot surgery last month. The report on Twitter described the surgery as maintenance to relieve discomfort, but whatever -- foot surgery on a running back is foot surgery, making Michel suddenly a risky pick in early drafts, and backup Harris worthy of a flier. Just maybe Harris will be a primary ballcarrier in what's been one of the league's more productive ground games.

New England is mostly known for its Hall of Fame quarterback, but they've long had a running game that can't be underestimated. Especially in terms of touchdowns. Over the last decade, they've scored a total of 178 touchdowns on the ground. That's 13 more than any other team, and an average of nearly 18 per year -- 5 more than the NFL average. They're really good at piling up rushing touchdowns.

TEAM RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS, 2010-2019
Team10111213141516171819Total
New England19182519131419161817178
Carolina7262114101916151720165
Minnesota161816231218915919155
New Orleans9161010161617232612155
Philadelphia1820101916151691216151
Buffalo612121571929121513140
Kansas City135917181915121616140
Baltimore111517716810141921138
San Francisco101417181071515723136
Seattle1315161420101341515135
Tennessee138101661016181521133
Dallas10581216824181318132
Atlanta14141211111320121110128
Denver1311121615131181811128
Houston2018197127881217128
Green Bay111291714811131418127
LA Rams9751011169172320127
Cincinnati81011141918176139125
Washington9822141591710129125
Pittsburgh15138910161312167119
Arizona9121012616206918118
Oakland1916416471713913118
NY Giants17171811135661311117
Indianapolis13811159613111317116
NY Jets1414121211111013116114
Chicago101011138131013168112
Cleveland13412417513111515109
Detroit1191715117910117107
LA Chargers1816496410101612105
Miami8111581211144710100
Tampa Bay9913671288111598
Jacksonville14957958187385

Michel might be fine for the start of the season, and the starter in this offense. But foot injuries can be tricky, and Michel has never been so impressive to think Harris couldn't make a play for that job. Worth a late-round selection, I think.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index