Are Pierre Strong Jr. or Kevin Harris worthy of a fantasy football waiver wire pickup heading into Week 15?
After filling in admirably for the New England patriots at the running back position during their MNF win over the Arizona Cardinals, let’s take a look at the potential Pierre Strong Jr. fantasy football value going forward.
Are Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong Jr. Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 15?
The Patriots went into MNF missing running back Damien Harris, and lost Rhamondre Stevenson in the first half due to an ankle injury. In the absence, the Patriots implemented a two-bay system with Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. It was Strong who had more success in the offense, rushing seven times for 70 yards and a touchdown while adding another 20 yards on two catches. Harris had eight rushes for 26 yards and a TD. Harris was more playing time, taking part in 49% of offensive snaps compared to Strong’s 39%.
Before the Monday Night Football game, Harris had only had four carries on the season, and Strong had just one, but had been used more frequently on special teams.
Whoever ends up being the Patriots most-used back for Week 15 will face the luxury of going up against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that ranks 28th in fantasy football points allowed to opposing backs. While the Patriots didn’t reveal anything about the severity of Stevenson’s ankle injury following the game on Monday night, he offered a simple “I hope” when asked by reporters if he’d be able to give it a go against the Raiders.
Stevenson came into Week 14 as the patriots leading rusher with 606 yards and six touchdowns, transforming into a true every down back in recent weeks.
It’s unclear which rookie running back, Harris or Strong, would be leading the way in the Patriots backfield if both Stevenson and Damien Harris remain out for Week 15, with Kevin Harris playing most downs and Pierre Strong showing some more big-play potential. Give the slight fantasy football edge to Strong, but either will have their value greatly diminished if one of the Patriots’ first two options are healthy by Sunday.
Be sure to check out Stokastic’s fantasy football tools for any other questions you may have before the Week 15 slate.
