New England Patriots: 3 players Bill Belichick praised during the week
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor stood out all summer
How good was J.J. Taylor this summer?
Well, the emergence of the New England Patriots 2020 undrafted free agent back may have played a role in the team parting ways with Sony Michel.
Along with Damien Harris, James White, Brandon and exciting rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, Taylor stabilizes that running back depth chart as a versatile, dynamic group that will keep opposing defenses off balance.
While Harris and Stevenson will provide the power and explosiveness, in Taylor they have that smaller type back who can not only break ankles with his shiftiness, but he also has his own powerful running style. His ability to also catch the ball out of the backfield and return kicks has drawn comparisons to Dion Lewis and Darren Sproles. But what has been more impressive to Bill Belichick, is obviously his hard work and progress in the running game and on special teams.
"“J.J. has continued to work hard and improve,” Belichick said Tuesday. “He’s made a lot of progress in the return game. Handling the ball and decision-making. Things like that. As well as offensively, carrying the ball in the running game. Patience, run reads, and in the passing game, route running, blitz pick up. I mean, he still has work to do like all young players do, but he’s definitely made a lot of progress and had a lot of opportunities in the preseason that obviously weren’t there last year, but he had and opportunity to do that, and I think that certainly helped him.”"
His overall performance in the preseason helped him earn a roster spot, but the question now with Taylor is whether he will get those opportunities during the season. If he does, it may come at the expense of less snaps for James White.
In all, the Patriots have a good problem at the running back position because of the progress and excitement J.J. Taylor adds and the enthusiasm surround this next player Belichick praised during the week.