Who Should I Start? Damien Harris or Bijan Robinson

Monday, March 25, 9:07 PM

Former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris announced his retirement from professional football on Monday at age 27. The Patriots selected Harris in the third round (87th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he had 449 rushing attempts for 2,094 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four years in New England in 38 regular-season games (34 starts) while adding 40 receptions on 51 targets for an additional 281 receiving yards. Harris spent the 2023 campaign with the Buffalo Bills but played in only six games before suffering a season-ending concussion/neck injury that saw him be taken off the field in an ambulance. He'll end his NFL career after just five seasons, recording 2,188 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 427 carries with the Pats and Bills.

Tuesday, November 4, 1:36 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson logged just 12 carries for 46 yards in Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Patriots as the team got behind early and all but abandoned the run. However, as has been the case all season, Robinson continued to be heavily involved in the passing attack, drawing 10 targets from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and turning them into eight catches for 50 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Drake London recorded all three of the team's touchdowns, but Robinson still managed a top 12 finish at running back despite not finding paydirt. Week 8 aside, when London was absent, the 23-year-old is second on the team with 21.1 percent target share, which provides a solid weekly floor. Week 10 brings a matchup with Indianapolis on a neutral field in Germany, a defense that has been tough against the run (although it allowed two rushing TDs this past week), but that has been soft against the pass and is allowing 24.5 points per game on the road (16.6 PPG at home). The former first-round draft pick figures to be involved regardless of game script, so he'll surely be a top option at running back again on Sunday.