Damien Harris Is NFL ’ s No. 1 Running Back, According To Pro Football Focus

By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) — Patriots fans have been happy to finally see Damien Harris get some run in the New England backfield, after he essentially spent his rookie season redshirting.
Now that he’s gotten steady playing time, Harris has certainly turned many heads in the region — and beyond.
Take, for instance, Pro Football Focus, which currently has Harris ranked as the No. 1 graded running back in the entire NFL.
In a world with Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Nick Chubb, Ezekiel Elliott and a ton of other big-name running backs, it likely comes as a surprise to many to see Harris’ name at the top of the list. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old out of Alabama has clearly thrived when given the opportunity this year.
Harris’ 90.8 rating ranks him above the aforementioned Henry (89.0) and Cook (86.3).

Damien Harris Derrick Henry Dalvin Cook
PFF's Highest-Graded RBs of 2020 pic.twitter.com/CyhewBo3fY
— PFF (@PFF) December 1, 2020

A closer look at the grades of the top running backs shows that Harris isn’t quite at Henry’s level as a rusher (because, really, nobody is) but that Harris’ work as a pass catcher and as a pass blocker has elevated him above the other two contenders.
PFF GRADES
RUSHING
1. Henry, 89.2
2. Harris, 87.8
3. Cook, 86.6
RECEIVING
1. Harris, 67.6
2. Cook, 55.1
3. Henry, 55.1
PASS BLOCKING
1. Harris, 82.5
2. Cook, 59.6
3. Henry, 58.3
Harris’ placement is, of course, ...

Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - December 2, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: CBS Boston Tags: NFL Patriots Sports Syndicated Sports Michael Hurley Sports News Source Type: news