6 Patriots Playing Their Last Game With the Team on Sunday

4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing as a rookie for the Dallas Cowboys when he ran for 1,631 yards with 15 touchdowns. He was again the top rusher in 2018 when he had 1,434 yards and six touchdowns. After seven years in Dallas, he amassed an impressive 8,262 yards on the ground with 68 touchdowns as well as 2,336 yards and 12 more touchdowns as a receiver.

As great as he was early in his tenure, Zeke started to decline in a hurry. Not long after signing a massive extension, his yards-per-carry dropped and he struggled to break off big runs. This led to the decision to part ways in 2023 and he wound up signing with the Patriots on a one-year deal.

Elliott hoped to get the ball a lot with New England since they liked to control the clock with the running game. He did end up with 171 carries through the first 15 games which is likely more than he would have gotten anywhere else.

His average, however, was a career-low 3.4 yards per carry as Zeke has just 588 yards and three touchdowns with one game to go. He has added two more scores as a receiver with 286 yards on four catches but he's still not proven to have the burst he showed early in his career. That's why it wouldn't be surprising to see the Pats let him walk in free agency and look for some younger help at the position.