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New England Patriots: Case for Drafting a Running Back

By Talar Kahwajian

Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) injured after a play against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) injured after a play against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) carries the ball against Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Kendall Adams (21) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

1.  Alex Collins-Arkansas

At 5’11 and 218 lbs, Collins is a powerful back that has had back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons with the Razorbacks.

The last guy out of Arkansas to do that?  Darren McFadden.

In the Liberty Bowl against Kansas State Collins ran for 185 yards on 23 carries.  He also rushed for three touchdowns to help the Razorbacks win.

He has the frame to break tackles and explode out of the backfield, but isn’t much of a receiver.  But the Patriots already have a Dion Lewis and James White for that role, so Collins would fit well.

In three seasons with the Razorbacks, Collins had 36 career touchdowns and 3,703 rushing yards. Collins is raw in his overall offensive game but if anything that should excite fans, because it means there’s so much untapped potential for the New England Patriots to discover.

During his first year on the field, Collins was named 2013 SEC freshman of the year after running for 1,026 yards and carrying the ball a total of 190 times throughout the season.

Coming out of high school in Florida, Alex Collins was ranked the #1 running back in the nation and while high school rankings can mean nothing, it at the very least means there is some type of talent in Collins.

With LaGarette Blount turning 30 next season, it’s time for the Patriots to look at a younger back who can take over within the next few seasons.

Next: Running Back With a Strong IQ?

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