With the New England Patriots running thin at the running back position, it will be worth it for them to take another look at the available free agents to the position as the season moves forward. There’s one available running back that stands out to me as a possibility for New England to easily add with veteran D’Onta Foreman.
To start, there’s a connection between head coach Mike Vrabel and Foreman, with Vrabel signing him twice to the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and later in the season in 2021. Foreman was a viable backup option to the one-of-a-kind Derrick Henry and had a role in the Titans' AFC South win.
Similar to Henry, Foreman has all of the physical qualities that Vrabel wants in a running back. From his size at 6’0”, 235 lbs. and with his 4.45 40-yard-dash speed, Vrabel identified Foreman to be a legitimate and capable contributor for his team.
It’s worth mentioning that in 2024, when Vrabel was working as a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns, Foreman was signed in that same offseason and their paths crossed again. It would also mark the last time Foreman played, finishing the 2024 season with 71 carries for 232 yards in 11 games (3 starts).
Vrabel Connection Makes Foreman a Perfect Fit for Patriots
Considering the way that Vrabel reconstructed the roster by adding players he already has experience within his system and on his team, Foreman fits the model of a serviceable former player that could be easily added to the roster for much-needed depth for this season.
With the uncertainty of Rhamondre Stevenson on a week-to-week basis and with losing backup options during the course of a game, it would be wise for New England to add yet another depth piece to this roster for this season.
In Week 10, the Patriots were without Stevenson for the second straight game and it proved that the depth is too thin behind him. Although it was rookie TreVeyon Henderson who handled the work as the lead back, New England lost their backup running back Terrell Jennings in the first quarter and it left them with only D’Ernest Johnson, who they called up from the practice squad.
It was a breakout performance for Henderson, but it also showed that the depth is too thin and starting to be a concern. Signing Johnson in the first place was likely a similar scenario to my suggestion of signing Foreman when it comes to the ease of it, but Foreman might be the better option in all.
Foreman is currently one of 11 available free agent running backs who hit the market last offseason, according to Spotrac. The Patriots would have to do some tinkering with their roster to make it work, likely starting him on the practice squad and being elevated to the active roster for a few games.
The Patriots could benefit greatly by signing Foreman as a possible insurance depth piece to a withering running back position. It’s important to be proactive rather than reactive in situations like this.