Is Patriots Damien Harris a Top 20 Running Back?

NFL feature running backs - like Major League Baseball starting pitchers - have gone the way of the VCR. Too many other viable alternatives to be committed to just one option.

In this era of running-back-by-committee, only the Steelers' Najee Harris played more than 70 percent of his team's offensive snaps and just five runners topped 60 percent. Teams are looking for complementary skill sets and running backs that can split the workload at a position that has tended to have a short shelf life.

Same in New England, where the Patriots last season rushed for 2,151 yards, spread over four running backs: Damien Harris (929), Rhamondre Stevenson (606), Brandon Bolden (226) and James White (38). This offseason the Pats added multi-faceted veteran Ty Montgomery.

That diversity makes Pro Football Focus' annual list of the Top 20 running backs an interesting mix of the few remaining three-down backs and players who have been efficient in more balanced committees.

Harris, who got 202 carries last season to Stevenson's 133, sneaked into PFF's Top 20 at No. 17 despite the platoon system.

Says PFF:

Any way you slice it and no matter who calls the plays with Harris, Stevenson, White and the addition of Pierre Strong Jr. in 2022, the Patriots - who also sport a pretty salty stable of safeties - should be set at running back.

PFF's Top 20:

1. Jonathan Taylor, Colts

2. Nick Chubb, Browns

3. Derrick Henry, Titans

4. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers

5. Dalvin Cook, Vikings

6. Alvin Kamara, Saints

7. Aaron Jones, Packers

8. Austin Ekeler, Chargers

9. Joe Mixon, Bengals

10. Josh Jacobs, Raiders

11. Najee Harris, Steelers

12. Javonte Williams, Broncos

13. Saquon Barkley, Giants

14. Chris Carson, Seahawks

15. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

16. James Conner, Cardinals

17. Damien Harris, Patriots

18. Miles Sanders, Eagles

19. David Montgomery, Bears

20. Devin Singletary, Bills