New England Patriots: 5 second-year studs destined to shine in 2021
5. J.J. Taylor ready to play a bigger role for the New England Patriots
University of Arizona product J.J. Taylor could play a bigger role for the New England Patriots in his second year in the NFL.
At 5-foot-6, 185 pounds, the undersized running back showed he can run with some power during his rookie season with the Patriots. Although he played in just 6 games, the undrafted rookie free agent did show flashes of what he can do in rushing for 110 yards on 23 attempts.
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With the departure of Rex Burkhead and the inconsistency of Sony Michel, Taylor could get more opportunity to shine in 2021 and don’t be surprised if he shines as an eventual James White replacement.
Although just one reception in 2020, Taylor has a combination of speed and power that would make him a dangerous weapon in the open field. He’ll play behind Damien Harris, Michel, White and rookie running back Rhamdondre Stevenson initially, but he’ll find his way on the field and Patriots fans will find out just how much of a hidden gem the small running back is.
With running backs of similar size like Dion Lewis and Danny Woodhead having success for the Patriots, running backs coach sees similar potential in Taylor and even compares him to one of the most dynamic smaller running backs in recent NFL history.
"“The guy is a pretty good player, really a good runner,” Ivan Fears said back in September, via Patriots Wire. “He’s sort of fits into that mold of small backs like (Darren) Sproles and those guys that’ve been successful. But it’s early. It really is early to tag any kind of title on him or anything like that. But I tell you what, we’re really happy to have him out there.”"
With the potential depth the Patriots have at the running back position, if Taylor emerges and played like Lewis did while he was in a Pats’ uniform, we’d certainly take that.