Zack Cox of NESN.com views Harris as the clear favorite to serve as the Patriots' No. 1 back this coming season.
While coach Bill Belichick isn't normally the type to detail player's projected roles, he did note that the third-year back is someone "that improved a lot from Year 1 to Year 2," while acknowledging that the 2019 third-rounder "has an opportunity to compete for a lead spot, and he's embraced that." Also in the Patriots' backfield mix are Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor and Tyler Gaffney. For now, Michel profiles as Harris' main competition for early-down work, while White retains his change-of-pace role in the New England offense. Down the road, Stevenson -- who began camp on the active/non-football injury list -- has a chance to compete for complementary touches, but at this stage Harris looks like the best bet fantasy-wise among the team's running backs.