Vikings Draft 2019: Head to Head – Damien Harris vs. David Montgomery

Pass Protection

The ability to pass protect is huge for a rookie in the NFL and plays a big part in how much actual playing time they see during their first season. Montgomery is a very good pass protector. He creates a nice base with a low butt and has aggressive hands that he uses to repeatedly punch his defender. Harris isn’t the natural pass protector that Montgomery is. He could stand to be more aggressive and attack his man instead of just chipping him.

That being said, he has the tools to be successful in this area but could use some coaching up. Montgomery is simply one of the better running back pass protectors in this class and is the clear winner.

Advantage: Montgomery

Production

Harris was mostly part of a tandem during his run at Alabama, as he shared the load with fellow high draft pick Josh Jacobs, but that didn’t stop him from being very productive. He ran for 3,070 yards with two separate 1,000-yard seasons. Harris scored 23 touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards every time he carried the football.

Montgomery has also been extremely productive at the college level. He toted the ball for 2,925 yards on the ground, scored 26 touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per carry.

If we add in their respective receiving totals we can get a comparison of their overall yards from scrimmage. Montgomery’s combined total was 3,507 yards with 26 total touchdowns. He averaged 5.0 yards a touch. Harris’ career yards from scrimmage were 3,477 with 25 touchdowns and an average of 6.6 yards per touch.

Again these guys are very close and the winner takes this because he did more with fewer attempts.

Advantage: Harris

Conclusion

Harris wins this battle 4-2. These backs are very similar and the categories that Harris won weren’t by much. It’s extremely likely these guys get drafted very close to each other. They both were very productive in college and can be dangerous through the air as well as on the ground.

Though Harris won the head to head battle, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Montgomery come off the board first. Coaches really value a guy who can pass protect and that could be a deciding factor if teams are going back and forth about which one to take, granted they were both on the board.

Harris and Montgomery are both solid prospects and ones who could have very productive careers at the next level.

(For more NFL Draft and Vikings-related content from Nik Edlund, head on over to SkolHole.com and check out his work.)