New England Patriots: Most important offensive skill players in 2020
Third, Sony Michel or James Harris must step up.
The New England Patriots running back room seems to get mixed reviews. Some commentators think they are outstanding, others, not so much. The fact is, this room needs a lot of work. They left a lot to be desired in 2019.
With Brady’s passing game suffering from a lack of talented targets, the running game needed to pick up the slack. They didn’t. Major injuries on the offensive line didn’t help but the backs could not get yards on their own. That cost the Patriots dearly.
The recent report that Sony Michel, their lead back and a former first-round draft pick, had foot surgery doesn’t help. Michel is their most talented pure running back who had an off-year in 2019.
Now, he may very well be hampered by a foot injury and his status for camp is unknown. We’ll see if he’s able to go.
Related Story. 5 third-year players with everything to gain in 2020. light
If not, even more questions will abound about New England’s ability to run the ball and take the pressure off their inexperienced young quarterback. A lot will be riding on this. If New England can’t effectively run the ball, Stidham’s job will be that much more difficult.
Another back, Rex Burkhead is what he is. He’s a good situational back with some skills and a knack for picking up key yards on occasion. If he’s healthy. That’s a big “if” for Rex. Yet, when healthy, he can be an effective change-of-pace back who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
After Burkhead is Damien Harris from Alabama who essentially red-shirted his rookie year. Harris is a wild card in the evaluation of the backfield. Frankly, no one knows what he can do or might be able to do if given the opportunity. He had a total of 12 yards on four carries in 2019.
That Harris wasn’t given an opportunity in 2019 by the coaching staff is not a great look. Hopefully, he’ll get that chance in the preseason and show what he can do.
The Patriots could really use a boost at running back especially with Michel’s status up-in-the-air. They also really need a big back. That acquisition is recommended.