New England Patriots: 3 ‘Do Draft’ strategies for team

Third, the New England Patriots draft two running backs

The Patriots running back room is nothing special. The best of the lot is Damien Harris who had a nice second season but couldn’t get in the gameday squad much as a rookie.

Harris is OK. Yet, he’s neither that fast nor that big. A tweener in a running back room last season full of tweeners.

Sony Michel is on the last year of his rookie deal and unless the Patriots pick up his option, this will likely be his last in New England.

New England should certainly pass on picking up that option (as they should on Wynn) and move forward.

A trade of Michel during the draft might be the best option for both the team and the player. He’s been a disappointment as a first-rounder. It’s time to move on and get better.

James White is back on a one-year deal after heading into free agency. He’s an all-time terrific pass-catching back and if he can bounce back from a mediocre 2020 season, he’ll be an asset.

Rex Burkhead was injured and is a free agent. He shouldn’t be re-signed but could be mid-season addition to cover for an injury.

That’s the current stable (along with little-used J.J. Taylor) and it needs strengthening. Now there are some who actually believe that running back is not an important position in the NFL.

For several years (since the departure of 18 touchdowns scoring LeGarrette Blount after the 2016 season, New England Patriots’ short-yardage game has been terrible – absent the quarterbacks.

The past two seasons it’s been non-existent. No running back can pick up a first down on third or fourth and short, and forget about punching the ball into the end zone from a yard or two out. Not happening.

The only call that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could make last season was a run by Cam Newton that everyone in the stadium and watching on TV knew was on the way.

It became a truly lousy call after a while and frankly, may just have cost them eking out a playoff spot. Bad calls by McDaniels for certain.

But somewhat in his defense, no one other than Newton could score a touchdown on a run or on a pass either for that matter. They had no real solid options.

That’s why in this draft, 2021, they have to move to rectify this. Two new backs are essential. Their backs last year lacked speed and bull-rushing ability. They should draft at least one of each type later this month.

They need a big back to take over short-yardage and get those first downs or touchdowns. And that means to draft a good big back early, maybe in the third round. Spencer Brown of UAB might fit the New England Patriots nicely.

Then, they also need a pure speed back with “take it to the house”-type speed who can also catch the ball. Current Patriots’ backs can’t even take it to the front walkway never mind the house.

Also, White’s not getting any younger and they are going to need another pass-catcher sooner rather than later. Try to get one in the fourth round. And maybe another late to provide competition.

The New England Patriots almost never draft running backs. Michel was an exception as was Lawrence Maroney back in the day, two first-rounders who didn’t measure up.

Forget the top rounds, go third and/or fourth, and go often. At least two and maybe three. They need to get better there and it will make the entire offense better.

Those are three “Do draft” suggestions for the New England Patriots. Adding payers at these positions will augment the already potentially earthshaking improvements to the moribund 2020 squad made in free agency.

It’s time to get smart in the draft. Throw out the wacky “restrictive” draft board and listen to the scouts, and fill these positions, please.