Who Should I Start? Damien Harris or Rachaad White

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, July 9, 4:19 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White posted 990 rushing yards last season, the highest rushing total for a Buccaneer since Doug Martin in 2015 (1,402). Heading into Year 3, White aims to go "well above" the 1,000-yard mark on the ground. "Obviously, my goal is to do whatever I can to help the team win," White said. "We've been last, or 25th to last the past five or six years when it comes to rushing, Tampa Bay has been down bad. My goal, and what I expect me to do, is turn that around." The Buccaneers lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales this offseason, so it will be interesting to see the offensive identity under Liam Cohen. The team selected fourth-round rookie Bucky Irving in the 2024 NFL Draft, but White should remain the clear RB1 and could continue to receive a healthy opportunity share. If he keeps a workhorse role, another top-10 fantasy football season is well within reach.