Ranking Patriots' running back position
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots' running game turned many heads throughout the 2018 season. Last year, the team finished 5th in the NFL in team rushing. In the playoffs, New England's running backs dominated, as they accounted for 82% (9-of-11) of all touchdowns scored throughout the three postseason contests.
The everlasting Tom Brady will turn 42 this summer, and although his arm can still toss the ball around, he needs a strong and reliable running game. Also, with the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski, the ball carriers will need to continue increasing their production. There are currently six running backs on the 90-man roster, which should lead to some competition throughout the summer.
Without further ado, meet the running backs.
6.) Nick Brossette
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As the 2019 NFL Draft concluded, Brossette’s name had not been called; however, he immediately entered free agency and jumped on the opportunity to sign an undrafted free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
As a senior at LSU, Brossette rushed for 1,039 yards and 14 touchdowns on 240 attempts. The Baton Rouge, LA native will now hope to follow in the footsteps of current NFL players Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice, two former LSU running backs that Brossette backed up prior to his senior year.
Expect Brossette to fit in well this summer. He and fellow rookie Damien Harris played against each other over the past few years and Brandon Bolden is also from Baton Rouge. As far as Brossette making the 53-man roster, he will have to really impress Bill Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff.
5.) Brandon Bolden
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Welcome back, Brandon Bolden!
A well-respected player around the Patriots organization has returned to Foxborough after a 1-year hiatus with the Dolphins. Bolden played for the Patriots from 2012-2017, where he was a part of two Super Bowl winning teams.
Last season in Miami, Bolden rushed for only 91 yards and two touchdowns on a mere eight attempts. But get this; he rushed for 60 of those yards and both of those touchdowns in the Dolphins' 34-33 win over the Patriots in Week 14, the same game that ended with that haunting catch and double lateral that gave Miami the walk-off win.
Expect to see Bolden more on special teams rather than lined up in the backfield during the 2019 season.
4.) Rex Burkhead
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Rex Burkhead will be entering his 3rd season with the Patriots and his 7th season overall. The versatile back struggled during the 2018 campaign, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry. It seemed to be tough for Burkhead to ever get in a groove, as he was dealing with a neck injury throughout the season and served primarily as Sony Michel’s or James White’s backup. You may recall a stretch of a few games last season where Burkhead and Michel were both banged up and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was suddenly a viable option in the run game for the time being.
Burkhead finished the 2018 season with 282 yards and three touchdowns on 80 attempts. All three of his touchdowns came in the playoffs, including the game-winning score in the Patriots 37-31 OT win over the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Burkhead is set to make $3 million in 2019, so he should have a good chance to hold a spot on the final 53-man roster. But crazier things have happened so do not be stunned if Burkhead is a surprise cut this summer.
3.) Damien Harris
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First coached by Nick Saban and now by Belichick, Harris is quite the fortunate football player. NFL Network analyst Nate Burleson could not believe Harris was still available in the 3rd round when the Patriots took him with the 87th overall pick and he believes this was the biggest steal in the draft. Harris was an absolute beast at Alabama. He finished his college career with 3,070 yards and 23 touchdowns on 477 attempts and he had at least one touchdown run of over 70 yards in each of his previous three seasons.
Harris won two National Championships with the Tide, so he is a player who knows how to win, a trait that Belichick certainly prioritizes. Harris is also regarded as outstanding in pass protection, which you know is going to be great for the Patriots. Harris will fit in perfectly with New England and between him and Sony Michel, there is a lot of young, SEC talent in the Patriots backfield.
2.) James White
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James White will be entering his 6th NFL season, all with the Patriots. Do you know all of those quick dump-off passes that Tom Brady gets teased for? Well, a majority of those passes go to this guy, and he has made quite a career off of being on the receiving end of them. White plays a huge role in the success of New England's offense and the second he gets the ball, it is one quick move and he is gone. He is a gift from God for not only Patriots fans, but for anyone who drafts him on to their fantasy football team.
In 2018, White rushed for 452 yards and five touchdowns on 102 attempts, not bad by any means. However, his role in the passing game is what makes him worth every penny. Last season, White had 107 receptions for 902 yards and seven touchdowns. His 107 receptions were the most of anyone on the team. As the 2019 season approaches, expect more of the same. White will have a bundle of receptions, the bigger boys will take the majority of the carries and the Patriots will be really tough to beat again.
1.) Sony Michel
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The Patriots took Sony Michel with one of their 1st round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he was everything the team could have asked for and more. After suffering a knee injury in training camp last summer, the Georgia alum missed the entire preseason and the season-opener against the Houston Texans. After making his NFL debut in Week 2 of last season, he significantly improved each week. Michel finished last regular season with 931 yards and six touchdowns on 206 attempts. Throughout the three playoff games, Michel could not be stopped, as he rushed for 336 yards and six touchdowns on 71 attempts. The Chargers, Chiefs, and Rams had absolutely no answer for Michel and the rest of New England's run game.
The Patriots only had two passing touchdowns in the playoffs last year, a crazy statistic when knowing they scored 41 points in one game and 37 in another. The ground game, led by rookie Michel powered New England to their sixth championship and that game plan should carry over into the 2019 season. Michel takes a load of pressure off of Brady’s shoulders and when he is carrying the ball effectively, the rest of the offense opens up. If Michel can avoid any major injuries, prepare for him to be included in the top tier of NFL running backs this upcoming season.
