The New England Patriots have plenty of running back depth for 2017, but every RB on the roster will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Rex Burkhead will likely be the New England Patriots starting running back in 2017. Behind him, there is plenty of depth with James White, Dion Lewis, and the newly re-signed Brandon Bolden.
Every running back on the Patriots roster will become a free agent when the season concludes unless a deal is worked out beforehand.
Burkhead was just signed as a free agent this offseason, so a contract extension is not realistic. The same can be said for Bolden. New England could look to extend James White or Dion Lewis, but there are other options available.
The Patriots can add a running back for 2018 through free agents now and in 2018, the NFL Draft, or with contract extensions. Here, we will look at all the realistic options for the team going forward.
Remaining 2017 Free Agents
There are still running backs available that the New England Patriots can pick up this offseason. The most likely choice seems to be a reunion with LeGarrette Blount, as both sides have a history and mutual interest.
LeGarrette Blount
2016 Stats: 299 attempts, 1,161 yards, 18 touchdowns
The Patriots and LeGarrette Blount share a mutual interest in a 2017 reunion. It would be ideal if the two sides could agree on a two-year deal, ensuring the team has a starting caliber back in 2018. The Patriots could utilize Blount’s size in the same way they did this past season. Blount powered in a Patriots record 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016 and could become a situational running back in 2017.
Adrian Peterson
2016 Stats: 37 attempts, 72 yards
Adrian Peterson is fighting age and his personal image as he continues his search for a 2017 team. He will not return to the Minnesota Vikings, as they have signed former Raiders running back Latavius Murray. Peterson worked out for New England but left Foxboro without a deal.
Jamaal Charles
2016 Stats: 12 attempts, 40 yards, 1 touchdown
Jamaal Charles will look to rebound in 2017. Just a few years ago, every team in the NFL would have been jumping at the chance to sign Charles. Now, he’s struggling to find a team.
Jonathan Grimes
2016 Stats: 23 attempts, 105 yards, 13 receptions, 94 yards
Former Houston Texans back Jonathan Grimes is still available. As a backup in Houston he had a solid career, and in the right system he could break out. Grimes has never gotten more than 56 attempts in a single season.
NFL Draft Prospects
The New England Patriots could opt to select a running back in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ideally, they would pick a big, power back this year. Each of these running backs could be available when the Patriots finally get on the board in the third round, and some will be available even later.
D’Onta Foreman, Texas
2016 Stats: 323 attempts, 2,028 yards, 15 touchdowns
D’Onta Foreman was near the top of the leaderboards in terms of rushing yards for the entirety of the 2016 college football season. Projected to be drafted between the first and third rounds, the 6’0″ 233lbs running back could become the feature back for New England. Foreman is not an incredible receiving back, but the Patriots would not need him to be one. Foreman had a workout with the Patriots after meeting with the team at the NFL Combine.
Brian Hill, Wyoming
2016 Stats: 349 attempts, 1,860 yards, 22 touchdowns
In my mock drafts, I continue to have the Patriots selecting Brian Hill out of Wyoming. He’s a big back at 6’1″, and is able to power through the line up the middle. Experts project Hill as a first and second down back in the NFL.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
2016 Stats: 232 attempts, 1,133 yards, 17 touchdowns
The National Championship winning running back should be available for the Patriots in the third or fourth round of the draft. Wayne Gallman is 6’0″ 215lbs and is a slasher. Scouts think he lacks power for the NFL game, but only time will tell.
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
2016 Stats: 196 attempts, 1,060 yards, 12 touchdowns
The top Oklahoma running back off the board will be Joe Mixon, but the New England Patriots have said they have no interest in him. At 5’11” 233lbs Samaje Perine is a thick running back. In 2016 he averaged 5.6 yards per carry while rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Elijah Hood, North Carolina
2016 Stats: 145 attempts, 858 yards, 8 touchdowns
Elijah Hood from UNC should be available in the fifth round. He’s a north-south runner that would likely become a situational player in the NFL.
2018 Free Agents (That New England Would Realistically Sign)
The Patriots will almost certainly be looking for a free agent running back in 2018. Of course, New England could choose to re-sign one of their own running backs in Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis or James White. Outside of those three, there will be plenty of other free agent options available.
Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns
2016 Stats: 198 attempts, 952 yards, 7 touchdowns, 40 receptions, 319 yards
Isaiah Crowell is a wasted talent in Cleveland. The Browns are not winning anytime soon, so surely he will look to move on. On a terrible team, Crowell ran for nearly 1,000 yards last season and was extremely productive out of the backfield as a pass catcher. He caught 40 balls and amassed 300 yards as a receiver. Crowell seems like a great fit for the New England Patriots.
Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills
2016 Stats: 101 attempts, 577 yards, 8 touchdowns, 9 receptions, 50 yards
The Patriots may have had an interest in Gillislee this season, and they may look to steal him from their division rival in 2018. Gillislee also has the skills to catch the ball out of the backfield, creating a more versatile dynamic when he’s on the field.
Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
2016 Stats: 222 attempts, 839 yards, 9 touchdowns, 21 receptions, 174 yards
Depending on how the 2017 season goes, Jeremy Hill could be the best free agent running back available in 2018. If the Patriots don’t find a starter in this year’s NFL Draft expect them to be all in on Jeremy Hill next offseason.
Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
2016 Stats: 217 attempts, 988 yards, 6 touchdowns, 27 receptions, 163 yards, 3 touchdowns
Carlos Hyde is too good of a player to be stuck on the 49ers roster. They are rebuilding and have plenty of potential, but if they falter in 2017 Hyde will likely explore other options. He can rush and receive like others on this list as well.
Next: Latest Patriots Mock Draft
There are plenty of options for the New England Patriots at the running back position in 2017 or 2018, so look for them to sign a starting caliber runner at some time in the near future.