Opportunity is key in fantasy football, but it doesn't always present itself for players, at least not right away. Take New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, for example.
Harris played in only two games as a rookie, logging a total of four carries. But with his downhill running style and a possible opportunity to compete for touches this season, Harris is one of the late-round targets on my fantasy radar this summer.
Below are eight players who have game-ready traits, but need that opening in order to register viable fantasy production. Some are prime backups who are already being drafted as insurance policies, while others are scheme-specific types -- or those who may have a larger hill to climb -- we had to dig a little deeper for.
Here is this year's "Have Skills, Need Opportunity" squad:
RB Damien Harris, New England Patriots
RB Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
We all know that Pollard can play. Just watch the tape, right? He's got explosive-play juice in his game (five explosive rushes in 2019), and there is much more power in his pads than expected. As a rookie, Pollard, who posted 5.29 yards per carry on 86 rushes, also averaged 2.73 yards per carry after first contact. There's a reason ESPN's Mike Clay ranked Pollard as the No. 3 fantasy backup. And if Ezekiel Elliott were to miss any time with an injury, I believe Pollard has the ability -- as a runner and receiver -- to handle a volume role in a Dallas offense that will have scoring upside and big-play ability, especially out of its three-wide receiver sets.
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Mattison is another premier backup option for fantasy managers this season, playing behind Dalvin Cook in Minnesota. And with Cook's injury history, Mattison is being rightfully drafted in all league formats after the tape he put together during his rookie season, when he rushed for 462 yards on 100 carries. The Boise State product is listed at 220 pounds, and we can see that when he squares his pads to get downhill. Those arm tackles won't work here. Mattison plays with some juice, too, when he has to bounce the ball to the edge. And while he isn't a matchup weapon in the pass game, the Vikings' screen package works here. Simply put, he's a physical runner who is a prime fit for a volume role in Minnesota if Cook can't answer the bell.
WR Miles Boykin, Baltimore Ravens
In 16 games last season, Boykin caught only 13 passes for 198 yards. However, he did add three scores. And with his 6-foot-4 frame, plus low-4.4 speed, the Ravens can scheme him up on vertical throws. Remember, Baltimore and quarterback Lamar Jackson will see loaded fronts, with safeties playing downhill. That's when you take your shots on deep overs, posts and straight go routes off play-action. Now, getting consistent target volume in this offense is a stretch with the run-heavy approach, the tight end impact, plus the deep-ball ability of Marquise Brown. The Ravens also added rookie receiver Devin Duvernay out of Texas. However, if Brown (who missed two games last season) were to go down with an injury, then Boykin elevates as a high-ceiling/low-floor fantasy option, with more upside in non-PPR formats.
TE Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
You want an easy scheme fit? Just look at Smith -- with his classic H-back skill set -- in Minnesota's offense. Two- and three-tight end sets, plus heavy play-action that caters to Smith's developing ability as a pro route runner. As a rookie, Smith caught 36 of 48 targets (on 295 routes run) for 311 yards and two scores. We can tack on five explosive-play receptions, too (receptions of 20 yards or more). And of those 36 grabs, 19 came off play-action throws. That put Smith in a position to run crossers, seams or catch the ball underneath on boot action. However, with veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph still in the mix, in a run-first offense, Smith's ceiling is limited here. Still, Smith could be a solid waiver target this season -- with TE2 upside -- if Rudolph were to miss any time.
WR Hakeem Butler, Arizona Cardinals
Yes, the Cardinals go pretty deep at the wide receiver position with DeAndre Hopkins now in the mix. And Butler didn't play a single snap as a rookie after landing on IR before the season started. However, in a pass-heavy Arizona offense under Kliff Kingsbury -- one that led the league in 10 personnel snaps (1 RB, 4 WR) -- don't count out Butler just yet. With a long, 6-foot-5, 227-pound frame, Butler fits as a scheme-specific route runner. Think slants here, the back-shoulder throws up the sideline, or the deep in-breakers from the X receiver spot. He was a high-level finisher at Iowa State on 50/50 balls, too. Plus, Butler could eventually use his size and catch radius to post up defensive backs on seam routes from a slot alignment. Sure, it's going to be a climb for Butler to get into the wide receiver rotation this season, or to see consistent volume. But he's still a player to monitor given his traits and Kingsbury's offensive structure, particularly in dynasty formats.
RB Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
With the Ravens drafting Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins in the second round -- adding to an already-crowded running back room in Baltimore -- it's going to be tough for Hill to find a consistent role in that offense. And that's after he posted just 66 total touches as a rookie. But I still like Hill's fit in Baltimore's run-heavy system given his lateral shake at the point of attack, plus the stop/start speed to set up defenders. And while Hill posted only eight receptions during the regular season, he did catch four of five targets in the Ravens' playoff loss to the Titans. Just like we talked about with Butler in Arizona, the traits match the scheme here for Hill -- if the opportunity comes.
WR Braxton Berrios, New York Jets
Berrios is a former Patriots draft pick who has the tools to play inside the numbers. The quicks are there to separate underneath, he can run shallows/crossers and the play-action game will open up zone windows. Expect catch-and-run opportunities. Plus, in Adam Gase's offense, the slot receiver is going to see volume. Last season, Jamison Crowder caught 78 of 122 targets for the Jets. And with quarterback Sam Darnold's ability to distribute the ball, the slot man plays a critical role. That's why I'm keeping Berrios on my list of possible waiver claims in deeper leagues this season if Crowder misses game time.