Chowder and Champions
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
New England Patriots
Nov 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Ejuan Price (5) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3.  C.J. Prosise-Notre Dame

6’1 and 220 lbs, Prosise is a strong back and the ideal Bill Belichick player.  Prosise spent time at Notre Dame as a wide receiver and safety, but was shifted to running back due to depth issues with the Fighting Irish.

Prosise is like Dixon in that he’s patient and waits for an opening before bursting through.  Like LaGarette Blount, Prosise fights for every yard and has a hard time being brought down.

Another great thing about him?  He’s a fantastic special teams player, earning Notre Dame Special Teams Player of the Year in 2014.  He had five fumbles in the 2015 season, and for the Patriots who struggled with Special Teams this past year, that stat is concerning.

Prosise has the ability to make sharp cuts and avoid tackles, and while he’s a big target with his size it can also be used in his benefit to gain that extra yard.  Prosise has a great size for a wide receiver and knowing Belichick, he’d probably want to use him more as a receiver anyway.

One gripe about the Patriots is their lack of a big, strong receiver.  Drafting Prosise and letting him grow as the season goes on in that role could add another threat to this already explosive New England offense.

It’s possible Prosise is just too good for the Pats to pass up in the later rounds and snatch him up. Prosise is the most versatile and with all the injuries that took place this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him taken.

Next: Bottom Line?

Home/New England Patriots