Bills' Damien Harris Set For Success in RB Committee?

Damien Harris enters this season on a prove-it deal with the Buffalo Bills. Can he establish himself as a feature back in their running back committee?

Damien Harris signed with the Buffalo Bills in March after spending the last four seasons with the New England Patriots, recording 2,094 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns during that time.

He enters this season on a prove-it deal worth $1.7 million but could be poised to have a significant role in Buffalo's backfield especially now that Nyheim Hines is set to miss the entire year.

The Bills are currently rolling with Harris, second-year tailback James Cook, and journeyman Latavius Murray in their running back committee. Cook is in line to receive the bulk of the carries after Buffalo selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, while Murray is a veteran who has a similar skill set to Harris. 

The Bills have struggled in recent years to have an effective run game in the red zone but could put those woes behind them with Harris now in the building.

The idea is that Cook will start off drives as the "main guy" to help Buffalo stretch the field with his receiving ability and a fresh Harris will then get carries once the offense gets inside the 20-yard line. 

With Harris getting carries in the red zone, the Bills can keep quarterback Josh Allen out of harm's way and let the former Patriot do what he does best: push the pile to get into the endzone. 

Harris had great success with the Patriots in 2021 in a similar role, recording a career-best 15 touchdowns. Thanks to Buffalo's versatile committee of tailbacks, Harris' production could reach those heights yet again. His yardage may not skyrocket, but his touchdown numbers should increase after finding paydirt just three times last season.

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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