Who Should I Start? Damien Harris or Javonte Williams

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.

Sunday, January 7, 11:41 PM

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams finished the regular season with a strong performance in the 27-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. He led the team with nine carries for 32 yards and only his third rushing touchdown of the season and also led the team with seven catches on a team-high nine targets for an additional 43 yards. It helped that rookie Jaleel McLaughlin left the game with a head injury and never returned. The 23-year-old entered Week 18 after barely averaging over 2.00 yards per carry the last two weeks, but he was able to finish strong heading into the offseason. Overall, the third-year back was a disappointment, carrying the ball 217 times for 774 yards and three touchdowns while adding 47 catches (58 targets) for 228 yards and two TDs through the air. Heading into the final year of his contract, Williams' fantasy value in 2024 will depend on what Denver does at the QB position in the offseason.