Who Should I Start? Damien Harris or Justice Hill

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.

Friday, September 12, 10:42 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill received two carries and two targets out of the backfield in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. Combined, he totaled -11 yards despite seeing a 45% snap share next to Derrick Henry. While he likely won't be in the negatives again, the Cleveland Browns defense is a bit tougher, especially given that they allowed just 46 rushing yards and 113 yards through the air to the Cincinnati Bengals. That doesn't leave a lot of breathing room for Hill unless the Ravens are playing from behind and resort to a predominantly passing game script. In average-sized fantasy leagues, Hill is better left on the bench for this matchup.